.THE    DIVINE    COMEDY 
DANTE   ALIGHIERI 


OF 


Tt--^: 


TRANSLATED  INTO  ENGLISH  VERSE  BY 
THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS 


WITH  A  PREFACE  BY  CHARLES  ELIOT  NORTON  AND 
A  MEMORIAL  SKETCH  BY  LOUISE  IMOGEN  GUINEY 


BOSTON    AND    NEW   YORK 
HOUGHTON,  MIFFLIN   AND   COMPANY 


Copyright,  1893, 
Bt  AUGUSTA  BARNARD 

All  rights  reserved. 


P3 


M^itO 


To  Anna  Parsons  and  Augusta  Barnard 
I  dedicate  this  work, 

T.  W.  Parsons,  1867. 


284552 


PRErACE.1 


Since  the  foundation  of  the  Dante  Society  in 
Cambridge,  twelve  years  ago,  we  have  had  to  de- 
plore the  death  of  but  few  of  its  members.  But 
it  is  a  grievous  and  remarkable  fact  that  we  have 
lost  from  our  roll  the  most  illustrious  names :  first, 
that  of  our  first  President,  Mr.  Longfellow ;  then, 
that  of  our  second  President,  Mr.  Lowell ;  and  in 
the  past  year  that  of  Dr.  Parsons.  They  were  the 
three  most  eminent  lovers  and  disciples  of  Dante 
in  America ;  three  poets  who  had  each  devoted  a 
large  portion  of  his  life  to  the  study  of  Dante's 
work,  and  contributed  as  no  other  scholars  have 
done  to  diffuse  his  influence  in  this  country.  Our 
Society  has  been  dignified  by  their  part  in  it.  We 
cannot  hope  for  future  distinction  such  as  their 
presence  has  lent  to  us  in  the  past. 

Fifty  years  ago,  a  little  pamphlet  in  stiff  brown 
covers  was   issued  in  Boston,  of   which  the    title 
page  reads:    "The  first  Ten  Cantos  of  the  In- 
1  Read  at  a  meeting  of  the  Dante  Society,  May  16,  1893, 


VI  PREFACE. 

ferno  of  Dante  Alighieri.  Newly  translated  into 
English  Verse."  It  bore  no  author's  name.  The 
translation  was  preceded  by  a  poem  in  seven  stan- 
zas, "  On  a  Bust  of  Dante."  The  poem  long  since 
became  deservedly  familiar  to  the  lovers  of  po- 
etry. Its  opening  verses,  strong,  simple,  direct, 
are  worthy  of  the  master  who  inspired  them,  and 
they  set  the  key  of  the  whole  poem  :  — 

"  See,  from  this  counterfeit  of  him 
Whom  Amo  shall  remember  long, 
How  stem  of  lineament,  how  grim 
The  father  was  of  Tuscan  song. 


*'  Faithful  if  this  wan  image  be, 

No  dream  his  life  was,  but  a  fight : 
Could  any  Beatrice  see 

A  lover  in  that  anchorite  ?  " 

The  little  book  attracted  scanty  attention,  save 
from  a  few  persons  of  scholarly  taste.  Among 
those  who  encouraged  Dr.  Parsons  to  proceed  with 
his  translation,  it  is  pleasant  to  me  to  recall,  was 
my  father;  and  almost  the  earliest  of  my  own 
associations  with  Dante  are  connected  with  the 
friendly  criticism  and  discussion  between  him  and 
the  young  translator. 

As  time  went  on.  Dr.  Parsons  added  to  his 
work.  Dante  was  his  continual  study.  But  almost 
twenty-five  years  had  passed  since  the  publication 


PREFACE,  Vil 

of  the  "  Ten  Cantos  "  before  he  printed  the  com- 
plete translation  of  the  "  First  Canticle  of  the  Di- 
vine Comedy r  He  had  greatly  revised  his  original 
essay,  and  a  comparison  of  the  cantos  printed  in 
1843  with  the  same  cantos  as  they  appeared  in  the 
volume  of  1867  is  interesting  as  a  study  of  style, 
and  of  experiments  in  translation.  The  scheme 
of  verse  is  not  changed,  but  everywhere  a  firmer 
hand  is  felt  and  a  more  perfected  art  is  manifest. 
Nine  years  later,  in  1876,  Dr.  Parsons  published 
a  further  portion  of  his  work,  under  the  title  of 
"  The  Ante-Pur gatorio  of  Dante  Alighieri.  Trans- 
lated by  T.  W.  Parsons."  And  in  later  years,  from 
time  to  time,  as  he  printed  one  canto  after  another 
of  the  Purgatory  in  the  pages  of  the  Catholic 
Worlds  he  did  me  the  honor  to  send  me  his  manu- 
script or  his  proof-sheet  for  such  remark  as  I 
might  venture  to  make  upon  it.  Our  opinions  as 
to  the  best  method  of  translation  differed ;  but  the 
quality  of  his  work  made  my  task  of  criticism  even 
more  helpful  to  myseK  than  it  could  have  been  to 
him,  while  his  open-mindedness  and  his  scholar- 
ship were  such  that  he  gave  more  heed  than  they 
deserved  to  my  friendly  suggestions.  His  fas- 
tidious taste,  his  conscientious  effort  not  to  fall 
short  of  his  own  ideal  standard  of  accomplishment, 
made  his  progress  slow  ;  and  he  has  left  the  trans- 


viii  PREFACE. 

lation  of  the  Purgatory  incomplete,  and  that  of 
the  Paradise  little  more  than  begun. 

So  far  as  his  work  has  gone,  I  believe  that  it 
is  safe  to  assert  that  as  a  rhymed  version  in  Eng- 
lish of  the  Divine  Comedy  it  has  no  superior.  Its 
form  is  that  of  verse  of  five  feet,  with  alternate 
rhymes.  It  does  not  attempt  to  render  verse  for 
verse,  nor  even  to  follow  literally  the  words  of  the 
original  without  other  addition  or  subtraction  than 
that  which  the  genius  of  the  language  requires. 
The  translator  allows  himself  a  certain  freedom. 
He  is  a  poet,  and  his  translation  is  to  be  an  Eng- 
lish poem.  The  substance  is  Dante's,  but  the  mode 
of  expression  is  often  changed  from  his.  Without 
knowledge  of  the  original,  one  may  read  it  with 
ease  and  pleasure,  and  with  little  sense  of  any 
hampering  conformities  to  a  foreign  original. 
There  are  many  parts  in  which  the  translation 
reaches  so  high  a  level  of  natural  poetry  that  the 
reader  may  readily  forget  that  the  English  poet  is 
following  an  Italian  model.  But  the  student  of 
Dante's  own  verse  feels  throughout  that  the  style 
and  tone  are  the  translator's,  not  Dante's.  It  may 
be  a  fine  style,  it  may  be  a  fine  tone,  but  neither 
one  nor  the  other  is  that  of  him  who  sovra  gli 
altri  come  aquila  vola.  The  aquiline  character 
is  not  here.     The  sweep  of  wing,  the  compressed 


PREFACE.  IX 

force  of  stroke,  the  reserved  power,  are  wanting. 
Take  a  single  instance,  two  verses  from  the  famous 
fifth  canto  of  the  Inferno :  — 

"  lo  comineiai :  Poeta,  volentieri 

Parlerei  a  que'  due  che  insieme  vanno." 

"  And  I  began :     Great  builder  of  the  rhyme  ! 

Fain  would  I  speak  with  yonder  pair  who  glide." 

The  difference  is  not  a  mere  difference  be- 
tween Italian  and  English:  it  is  a  difference  of 
essence,  a  difference  in  poetic  nature ;  a  difference, 
as  I  have  said,  of  style  and  tone. 

But  when  every  allowance  is  made,  this  work 
of  Dr.  Parsons's  is  an  achievement  which,  in  con- 
junction with  his  original  poetry,  will  secure  for 
him  that  onrata  nominanza  which  he  would  have 
desired  as  a  follower  of  the  altissimo  poeta. 

CHARLES  ELIOT  NORTON, 


THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS: 

1819-1892. 

The  history  of  the  present  translation  is  with 
diffidence  written  out,  as  if  it  were  a  thing  sepa- 
rable from  the  man  who  made  it.  Hardly  in  any 
sense  a  task,  this  scholar's  Dante  grew  to  be  the 
divine  persuasion,  the  solemn  solace,  the  moral  en- 
thusiasm of  fifty-five  years  ;  it  was  done  at  leisure 
and  by  liking ;  and,  beyond  the  first  Canticle,  it  re- 
mains fragmentary  and  unfinished.  Dr.  Parsons 
was  a  poet  of  the  truest  type ;  he  might  have  de- 
voted his  exquisite  native  art  and  ripe  learning 
altogether,  as  he  did  in  very  small  part,  to  the 
pleasures  of  his  own  genius.  But  at  seventeen 
he  was  taken  by  his  English  father  on  the  first  of 
many  prolonged  visits  to  Italy  ;  he  saw  Dante,  as 
it  were,  face  to  face,  and  he  was  never  quite  free 
thereafter.  He  learned  the  Paradise  by  heart, 
walking  the  streets  of  Florence  and  Ravenna ;  he 
began,  even  in  the  sojourns  of  his  enchanted  youth, 
to  transpose  it  into  his  own  tongue,  with  sincerest 


xu  THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS. 

humbleness  and  anxiety  of   spirit,   and  with   an 
ever-gathering  sweetness  and  power. 

Dr.  Parsons  tells  us  that  his  earliest  studies  of 
Dante  were  cast  in  the  terza  rima :  a  fashion 
afterwards  thrown  aside  in  favor  of  the  measure  ot 
Dryden  and  Gray,  "  which  already  hath  possession 
of  the  English  ear,  and  must  charm  it  forever." 
Of  these  earliest  studies,  comprising,  according  to 
their  author,  "  a  good  portion  of  the  Divine  Com- 
edy^^^  not  a  line  survives.  Meanwhile,  the  memory 
of  their  form  and  phrase  must  have  wrought 
strongly  with  him  to  prevent  his  recasting  the  I^ar- 
adise;  one  does  not  shake  off  so  readily  the  fiery 
garment  of  the  mind.  A  second  metrical  experi- 
ment tried  upon  the  opening  canto  of  the  Paradise 
figures  in  this  book ;  although  not  unimpressive, 
it  was  shortly,  in  its  turn,  abandoned,  nor  was 
it  replaced.  The  minor  portion  of  the  Hell  ap- 
peared in  1843,  in  a  limited  edition  which  adopted 
Landor's  spelling  of  past  participles.  Influenced 
by  the  eager  devotion  of  his  wife,  and  by  the 
deep  interest  of  friendly  critics  in  London  and 
in  Rome,  Dr.  Parsons  spurred  himself  on,  and 
achieved  the  first  Canticle  before  1867 ;  so  that, 
as  it  now  stands,  it  represents  his  final  thought, 
if  any  thought  could  be  called  final  with  him 
whose  restless  search    for   perfection   availed   to 


THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS.  xiii 

worry  and  interline  even  the  long-printed  quarto 
page.  . 

The  Purgatory  spread  itself,  in  irregular  se- 
quence, over  a  considerable  period  of  time.  There 
is  much  reason  to  suppose  that  the  translator 
really  completed  more  than  we  have  been  enabled 
to  present ;  at  least,  there  is  a  likelihood  that  its 
twenty-fifth  canto  was  finished,  and  that  both  the 
twenty-ninth  and  the  thirty-second  cantos  were 
done  in  part,  although  no  copy  of  these  is  extant. 
The  Ante-Purgatory  alone  was  consummated,  and 
privately  issued.  What  follows  it,  embodying 
many  famous  and  touching  passages,  was  sent  at 
long  intervals  to  the  Catholic  Wo7'ld,  of  which 
the  late  Reverend  Isaac  T.  Hecker  was  then  editor. 

The  Paradise  was  never  entirely  remodeled ; 
grains  of  its  gold-dust  only  have  been  found  and 
added.  Meantime,  and  during  the  arrested  devel- 
opment of  the  whole,  the  ideals  of  Dante  ceased 
not  to  sway  and  color  his  disciple's  mind.  He 
translated  beautiful  segments  of  The  New  Life, 
A  dozen  of  his  songs  (among  them  Paradisi  Glo- 
ria^ Sotto  V  Usbergo  del  Sentirsi  Puro^  and  the 
sonnet  Ben  delV  Intelletto')  were  inspired  by  texts 
of  the  eternal  epic.  His  hand,  clear  as  Giotto's, 
has   drawn  the   sweet   and  disdainful  Dantesque 


XIV  THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS. 

profile  again  and  again ;  for  the  splendid  charac- 
terizations of  his  best-known  poem,  a  great  lyric 
worthy  of  Gray,  repeat  themselves,  with"  diverse 
rather  than  less  charm,  in  YIINOS,  and  in  Fran- 
cesca  da  Rimini.  Never  was  poet  more  under  a 
noble  spell  than  this  one.  It  is  no  exaggeration  to 
say  that  to  him  Dante  was  heart-blood  and  life- 
breath,  and  not  absent  from  his  inmost  meditations. 
Nothing  better  proves  the  essential  robustness  of 
Dr.  Parsons' s  intellect,  than  the  fact  that  while 
he  walked  so  devoutly  in  the  great  Florentine's 
shadow,  nowhere  in  his  individual  verses  is  there 
a  single  unconscious  imitation  of  him,  a  single 
borrowed  and  unacknowledged  excellence. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  he  meant  to  have  built  a 
complete  memorial  of  his  master,  unto  such  eter- 
nity as  his  skill  allowed.  But  he  worked  with  so 
real  a  religiousness  that  haste,  or  expediency,  or 
compulsion  never  was  allowed  to  touch  him ;  merely 
a  little  passing  mundane  cloud,  intruding  on  the 
mediaeval  peace  of  his  green-bowered  desk  at 
Wayland  or  Scituate,  made  him  throw  down  his 
pen  for  the  day.  No  entry  in  his  brief  diaries, 
kept  along  the  margin  of  the  manuscript  transla- 
tion, where  each  baptized  page  bears  the  sign  of 
the  cross,  and  a  prayerful  invocation  like  that  of  a 
Benedictine  of  old,  is  commoner  than  "  Vce  mihi  / 


THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS.  xv 

dies  parum  efficax.^''  A  melancholy  winter  light, 
the  stir  of  the  city,  a  letter  to  answer,  a  visit  to 
receive,  any  trifling  offense  to  his  fastidious  eye 
or  ear,  the  very  sense  of  worship  always  with  him, 
the  sense  also  of  the  difficult  grandeur  with  which 
he  had  to  deal,  were  enough  to  turn  him  from  his 
vocation,  even  for  months  and  years  at  a  time,  and 
to  his  own  grief.  This  excessive  sensibility  to  in- 
terruption deprived  us  of  an  entire  English  version 
of  the  Divine  Comedy ;  but  it  reserved  the  most 
heart-whole  and  illumined  energy  for  what  was  ac- 
tually attained.  As  Dr.  Parsons  wrote,  at  twenty- 
four,  in  a  masterly  preface :  "  If  the  iron  Alighieri 
himself  confessed  that  his  sacred  song  had  made 
him  lean,  through  many  years,  it  may  be  acknow- 
ledged that,  for  ordinary  faculties,  simply  to  trans- 
mute the  precious  ore  into  a  merchantable  shape 
were  no  insignificant  work.  To  render  him  properly 
requires,  in  short,  somewhat  of  Dante's  own  moods  : 
it  needs  time  and  toil.  Fasting  and  solitude  might 
not  be  amiss." 

It  wiU  be  seen  how  long  ago  this  late-issued 
book  had  its  birth  and  growth,  how  far  it  preceded 
much  admirable  modern  exposition  of  its  hero  and 
arch-priest.  Dr.  Parsons  was  steeped  in  his  Dante, 
himself  the  digest  of  many  universities ;  he  had 
brooded  over  that  illimitable  strange  horizon  till 


XVI  THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS. 

all  near  objects  dissolved  away.  Yet  he  contented 
himself,  in  his  unpolemical  manner,  with  few 
notes ;  and  these  were  not  historic,  theological,  sci- 
entific, but  produced,  by  choice,  from  the  less  dis- 
coverable data,  the  workings  of  his  own  mind.  He 
had  both  a  close  solicitude  and  a  manly  unconcern 
for  his  work ;  once  in  type,  albeit  not  given  forth, 
it  seemed  to  lose  the  sacredness  it  had  for  him 
while  it  was  in  progress.  His  treasure,  however, 
in  death  as  in  life,  is  here.  He  had  a  fine  Italian 
detachment  from  the  world  of  gain  and  strife,  but 
for  this  one  thing  he  cared.  The  best  in  him  went 
to  vivify  and  freshen  it.  It  made  his  inner  happi- 
ness, especially  in  his  last  and  lonelier  years ;  for 
virtue,  in  literature  if  not  in  life,  is  its  own  reward. 
By  that  service  to  a  classic,  rather  than  by  some 
unique  and  most  lovely  numbers  in  which  he 
seemed  to  take  Ben  Jonson's  advice  to  "  sing  high 
and  aloof,"  would  he  have  wished  to  be  known. 

An  unrevised  life-labor,  plucked  for  the  public 
while  yet  green  upon  the  bough,  bears  itseK 
meekly,  and  hopes  for  consideration.  Wherever 
there  are  grievously  broken  sequences,  an  absent 
or  detached  passage,  a  forgiveness  must  be  asked, 
though  not  for  the  author,  who  would  one  day 
have  perfected  them  all.  The  text  comparison  of 
nearly  every  manuscript  canto  of  the  translation 


THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS.  xvii 

has  been  a  nice  and  repaying  labor ;  for  there  is, 
not  uncommonly,  a  choice  between  as  many  as 
four  or  five  renderings.  Dr.  Parsons  had,  in  fidl, 
the  artistic  temperament  and  its  concomitant  con- 
science :  he  seldom  erred  into  rhetoric ;  he  fled 
from  prose,  save  where  his  majestic  model  had  em- 
ployed it  before  him.  But  his  endeavor  is  to  keep 
always  on  the  Saxon,  homespun  side  of  things  ;  his 
terseness,  his  literalness,  his  archaisms,  are  notes 
of  genius  ;  only  a  poet  could  dare  so  to  intone  and 
sustain  them.  He  was  in  no  marked  degree  capa^ 
ble  of  diluting  an  idea,  or  of  adorning  it  with 
"purple  patches,  gratuitous  felicities."  He  had 
scruples  even  over  an  adjective  necessarily  and 
harmoniously  interpolated.  The  voweled  diction 
of 

"  Soon  as  we  slack  awhile  our  painful  pace 
By  the  sad  marge  of  ancient  Acheron,"  — 

to  select  a  random  example,  from  the  Hell^  was 
overborne,  in  its  author's  mind,  by  the  remem- 
brance of  the  calmer  statement,  — 

"  Quando  noifermeremo  i  nostripassi 
Su  la  trista  riviera  cf  Acheronte.''^ 

Therefore  he  revised  it :  — 

"  Soon  as  we  stay  our  footsteps  for  a  space 
Beside  the  dismal  strand  of  Acheron." 


xviii         THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS. 

Surely,  the  inevitable  expansion  in  the  earlier 
version  was  a  distinct  gain,  and  a  beauty.  Above 
all,  Dr.  Parsons  can  be  trusted,  with  a  touch  so 
light  it  is  often  unsuspected,  to  dispel  a  vagueness 
or  insert  some  little  clarification,  and  to  deal  firmly 
with  paraphrase  where  the  prodigious  strength  of 
the  Tuscan  idiom  is  such  that  the  best  English 
threatens  to  break  under  it. 

No  other  imitator  of  Dante,  except  perhaps,  Ros- 
setti,  is  willing  to  go,  for  the  most  part,  in  such 
russet  English,  unashamed.  He  is  severe  with  a 
grace  where  it  would  fain  interfere  with  a  force. 
He  has  an  accent  of  large  and  serious  simplicity, 
now  rustic,  anon  most  courtly  and  winning.  In 
faithful  technical  detail,  as  in  certain  right  inborn 
scorns,  reticences,  antagonisms,  he  was  Dante's 
man  ;  he  had  not  pondered  for  nothing 

"  The  lips  as  Cumae's  cavern  close," 

nor  striven  altogether  in  vain  to  catch  their  ineffa- 
ble austerity. 

Dr.  Parsons  is  as  yet  hardly  known  to  his  own 
countrymen,  who  have  long  had  before  them  an  out- 
line of  his  gentle  and  endearing  character  in  the 
Poet  of  The  Wayside  Inn.  The  conditions  of  his 
daily  life  were  wholly  advantageous ;  the  high- 
minded  group  who   made  the   illustrious  Boston 


THOMAS  WILLIAM  PARSONS.  xix 

and  the  Harvard  University  of  forty  and  fifty 
years  ago  were  his  friends,  and  from  them  he  had 
always  the  sole  recognition  which  he  found  good. 
He  reminds  one  sometimes,  in  his  patrician  shy- 
ness, of  the  elect  men  of  letters  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  of  Drummond  and  Daniel,  children  of  a 
pensive  but  fortunate  Muse,  "  retired  as  noontide 
dew."  He  dwelt,  through  a  decadent  era,  in  a 
joyous  cloister  of  the  imagination,  enamored  of 
the  past,  troubling  himself  not  at  all  except  about 
visions  venerable  and  fair ;  having  "  glimpses  of 
incomprehensibles,  and  thoughts  of  things  which 
thoughts  do  but  tenderly  touch."  While  he 
walked  in  the  flesh,  it  was  rather  with  spirits  than 
with  his  kind;  and  those  who  knew  him  know 
that  he  need  not  have  gone  far,  nor  changed  much, 
on  his  master's  shining  upward  way  a  farsi  pin 
hello, 

LOUISE  IMOGEN  GUINEY. 


HELL. 


HELL. 


CANTO   THE   FIRST. 

Halfway  on  our  life's  journey,  in  a  wood, 
From  the  right  path  I  found  myself  astray. 
Ah,  to  describe  how  dark  it  was,  how  rude. 
That  savage  forest,  chills  me  to  this  day ! 
Its  very  thought  is  almost  death  to  me ; 
Yet,  having  found  some  good  there,  I  will  tell 
Of  other  things  which  there  I  chanced  to  see. 
But  how  I  came  therein,  I  know  not  well, 
For  sleep  had  mastered  me  when  first  I  went 
From  the  true  way,  abandoned  in  my  woe ; 
Till  having  reached  the  foot  of  an  ascent 
Where  this  vale  ended  that  appalled  me  so. 
Looking  on  high,  its  shoulders  I  beheld 
Robed  in  the  planet's  rays  who  guides  men  right 
Through  every  pass  :  then  part  the  fear  was  quelled 
That  froze  my  heart's  lake  all  that  piteous  night. 
Like  one  cast  breathless,  gasping,  from  the  spray, 
Who  eyes  the  watery  peril  from  the  shore, 


4  HELL. 

My  mind,  still  flying,  turned  me  to  survey 

The  track  no  living  man  e'er  passed  before. 

Then,  after  easing  my  worn  limbs  with  rest, 

On  through  that  wilderness  I  wandered,  still 

Keeping  my  lower  foot  most  firmly  prest ; 

When,  lo !  beginning  now  to  climb  the  hill, 

A  Leopard,  glistening  in  a  dappled  hide. 

That  woidd  not  fly,  though  light  and  full  of  speed, 

Hindering  my  way,  before  me  I  descried. 

And  often  turned,  as  doubtful  to  proceed. 

The  time  was  morning ;  and  the  sun  above 
The  world  was  riding  with  his  kindred  stars, 
Those  old  companions  from  the  day  when  Love 
Divine  first  launched  their  adamantine  cars : 
Hope  cheered  my  heart  to  mark  the  dawming  bright, 
The  season,  sweet,  the  creature's  lively  dress ; 
But  soon  a  Lion  met  my  startled  sight. 
Whose  fearful  shape  renewed  my  late  distress. 
With  towering  head  he  stalked,  and  ravenous  mien, 
Striding  towards  me,  and  seemed  to  shake  the  air ! 
Next  came  a  Female  Wolf,  that  long  hath  been 
The  curse  of  millions  dwelling  in  despair. 
Meagre,  but  looking  crammed  with  every  lust. 
She  caused  such  horror  through  my  soul  to  creep 
That  I  began  to  falter,  and  mistrust 
My  power  to  win  the  summit  of  the  steep. 
I  felt  like  one  who,  gladly  gathering  gain, 


CANTO   THE  FIRST. 

Until  some  luckless  time  that  brings  him  loss, 
Then,  all  disheartened,  sorely  doth  complain,  — 
To  see  that  restless  beast  my  pathway  cross. 
With  every  stride  she  drove  me  slowly  back 
Down  where  no  sun  the  stillness  did  illume ; 
But  while  I  thus  was  falling  from  my  track, 
A  form  before  me  glimmered,  through  the  gloom, 
Whom  faintly  marking,  as  obscure  he  seemed 
In  the  long  silence  of  that  desert  glade, 
"  Whate'er  thou  art,  oh  pity  me !  "  I  screamed, 
"  Whether  a  living  man,  or  but  a  shade." 

"  No  man,"  he  answered :  "  once  I  was  a  man ; 
Mantua  my  Lombard  parents  called  their  home ; 
In  Julius'  reign,  though  late,  my  life  began. 
And,  under  good  Augustus,  passed  at  Rome. 
In  those  false  days,  by  lying  gods  o'errun, 
A  Poet  I,  and  sang  of  him  who  came 
From  blazing  Troy,  Anchises'  righteous  son, 
When  all  proud  Ilion  melted  in  one  flame. 
But  thou,  so  rough  a  struggle  why  repeat  ? 
Why  rather  climb  not  this  glad  mountain-side, 
Of  all  delight  the  source  and  happy  seat  ?  " 
Whereto,  with  bashful  forehead,  I  replied  : 

''  Art  thou  that  Virgil,  then,  the  mighty  spring 
Who  pour'st  of  language  that  majestic  stream  ? 
O  light  and  glory  of  the  race  who  sing ! 


6  HELL. 

Let  it  avail  me  that,  with  love  extreme 
And  zeal  mi  wearied,  I  have  searched  thy  book : 
Thou  my  choice  Author  art,  my  Master  thou ; 
Thou  the  sole  fountain  whence  my  genius  took 
The  style  whose  grace  gives  laurel  to  my  brow ! 
Behold  yon  monster  in  my  road,  whose  rage 
Thrills  through  my  veins  until  my  pulses  quake ; 
Defend  me  from  her,  thou  illustrious  Sage !  " 
Whereat,  observing  how  I  wept,  he  spake : 

"  This  savage  wilderness  if  thou  wouldst  fly, 
For  thee  thy  journey  lies  a  different  way ; 
Since  yonder  brute,  which  wakes  this  piteous  cry, 
Permits  no  mortal  on  her  path  to  stray,  — 
Nay,  every  trespasser  with  death  prevents ; 
So  bad  by  nature,  so  accursed  at  core, 
Her  greedy  appetite  she  ne'er  contents, 
But,  after  gorging,  still  howls  on  for  more. 
With  many  a  beast  already  she  hath  lain, 
And  shall  with  many  another,  leagued  in  lust, 
Till  come  the  Greyhomid,  slaying  her  with  pain ! 
He  will  not  feed  on  earthly  dross  and  dust. 
But  wisdom,  love,  and  virtue :  He  shall  dwell 
'Twixt  the  two  Feltros ;  comfort  He  shall  spread 
O'er  Latium's  land  for  which  Camilla  fell, 
Turnus,  Euryalus,  and  Nisus  bled. 
'T  is  He  shall  worry  her  through  every  town, 
Till  back  to  Hell,  wherefrom  she  first  arose. 


CANTO   THE  FIRST.  7 

(Envy's  rank  spawn),  He  shall  have  dragged  her 

down : 
There,  for  thy  good,  to  lead  thee  I  propose. 
Come,  thou  shalt  follow  me ;  and  I  will  be 
Through  regions  infinite  and  dark  thy  guide, 
Where  thou  shalt  hear  the  desperate  shrieks,  and 

see 
Souls  who  for  ages  have  in  anguish  cried 
'  Oh  for  that  second  death ! '  —  But  happier  some 
Shalt  thou  behold  who  dwell  in  flames  content. 
Hoping  at  last  amid  the  blest  to  come  ; 
To  whom  wouldst  thou  hereafter  make  the  ascent, 
Unto  a  spirit  worthier  far  than  I, 
At  parting,  I  must  render  thee ;  because 
He,  the  Great  Potentate  who  reigns  on  high, 
Found  me  rebellious  to  His  holy  laws. 
He,  through  my  guidance,  therefore,  none  admits 
To  His  pure  City.     He  reigns  everywhere ; 
But  there  His  throne  is,  there  He  dwells  and  sits. 
O  happy,  happy  whom  He  chooses  there !  " 
Then  I  to  him  :  "  O  Poet !  I  implore. 
Even  by  that  God  unknown  to  thee  of  old. 
So  may  I  shun  this  misery  and  more, 
(Whatever  worse  remaineth  to  be  told), 
That  thou  wilt  bring  me  to  the  mentioned  place, 
Where  I  may  look  upon  Saint  Peter's  gate, 
First  having  viewed  the  woes  of  that  sad  race." 
Then  he  moved  on,  and  I  behind  him  straight. 


8  HELL. 

CANTO  THE   SECOND. 

Day  was  departing,  and  the  dusky  light 

Freed  earthly  creatures  from  their  labor's  load  : 

I  alone  girt  me  to  sustain  the  fight, 

(A  strife  no  less  with  pity  than  my  road), 

Which  memory  now  shall  paint  in  truth's  own  hue : 

O  Muse,  O  soaring  genius,  help  me  here ! 

O  mind,  recording  all  that  met  my  view ! 

Here  must  thy  native  nobleness  appear. 

Thus  I  began  :  "  O  thou  who  art  my  Guide, 

Poet !  what  strength  my  humble  virtue  hath 

Examine  well,  before  with  steps  untried 

My  feet  be  trusted  to  that  arduous  path. 

Thou  tell'st  of  Silvius,  how  his  father  went 

Among  the  immortals,  animated  still 

With  sense,  in  flesh  corruptible  still  pent. 

Such  was  His  grace  who  hateth  every  ill ; 

But  gracious  Heaven  weighed  then  the  high  residt, 

Both  who   and  what   should   spring  from   such  a 

seed ! 
Nor  to  man's  reason  seems  the  cause  occult. 
Since  he  was  in  the  empyreal  sphere  decreed 
The  future  Father  of  benignant  Rome, 
And  of  Rome's  empire,  which  were  pre-ordained 
To  be  the  holy  seat  and  sacred  home 


CANTO   THE  SECOND.  9 

Of  him  who  sits  where  greater  Peter  reigned. 
That  visit,  famed  by  thee  o'er  all  the  globe, 
Taught  him  the  events  wherefrom,  in  process,  grew 
His  conquest,  and,  in  fine,  the  Papal  robe. 
God's  '  chosen  vessel '  journeyed  heavenward  too, 
To  strengthen  more  that  faith  wherein  alone 
The  primal  steps  of  our  salvation  lie  ; 
But  why  to  me  were  such  indulgence  shown  ? 
For  no  ^neas,  no  Saint  Paul,  am  I. 
Small  is  my  worth  in  mine  as  men's  esteem ; 
Should  I,  so  humble,  so  forlorn  and  weak, 
Venture  this  going,  't  would  but  folly  seem  ; 
Thou  'rt  wise  ;  more  wise  to  hear  than  I  to  speak." 
As  one  who  wavers  in  his  wish,  by  doubt 
Discouraged  wholly  from  his  first  design. 
Thus  I,  on  Hell's  dim  coast,  in  thought  wore  out 
That  eager  spirit  which  before  was  mine. 

"If  I  thy  language  rightly  have  conceived," 
Serenely  answered  that  majestic  Shade, 
"  Thy  mind  of  manhood  is  through  fear  bereaved, 
Which  oft  a  mortal  bosom  will  invade. 
That  man  from  noble  action,  like  a  beast 
Starting  at  some  false  vision,  is  deterred  ; 
From  which  poor  cowardice  be  now  released ! 
Mark  wherefore  I  am  come,  what  I  have  heard. 
When  first  for  thee  compassion  touched  my  breast ; 
With  those  I  dwelt  who  in  suspense  remain  : 


10  HELL. 

A  Lady  called  me,  beautiful  and  blest, 
Whom  I  besouglit  her  mandates  to  explain. 
Brighter  her  eyes  beamed  than  the  ruling  star ! 
And  thus  she  spake,  in  accents  mild  and  low. 
And  tones  all  music,  as  an  angel's  are : 

"  '  Know,  gracious  Mantuan,  gentle  spirit,  know, 
Thou  whose  fame  lives  and  shall,  till  motion  end ! 
In  the  wild  waste,  opposed  upon  his  track, 
A  friend  of  mine,  yet  ah  !  not  fortune's  friend. 
Trembling  with  terror,  from  his  way  turns  back ; 
And  much  I  fear,  by  what  in  Heaven  I  heard, 
That  I  to  succor  him  have  risen  too  late. 
So  far  from  his  true  pathway  lie  has  erred. 
Then  hie  thee,  Virgil,  with  thy  phrase  ornate. 
And  with  what  else  his  rescue  may  require  ; 
By  helping  him,  give  comfort  unto  me : 
For  I  am  Beatrice  who  thus  desire, 
And  come  from  where  again  I  fain  would  be. 
Love  called  me  hither,  and  I  speak  from  Love : 
Full  oft  thy  praise  I  will  enforce  on  high, 
When  I  shall  stand  before  my  Lord  above.' 

"  The  virgin  ceased,  and  thus  responded  I: 
'  O  soul  of  goodness  !  which  alone  mankind 
Exalts  above  all  beings  of  the  sphere. 
Whose  heavenly  orbit  is  the  most  confined. 
Lady  !  thy  sweet  commandment  charms  mine  ear 


CANTO    THE   SECOND.  11 

So  that,  already  were  thy  wish  obeyed, 

To  my  desire  such  readiness  were  slow ; 

But  tell  me  why,  from  that  large  kingdom  strayed, 

Thy  longed-for  home,  thou  venturest  here  below.' 

"  '  Deeply  thou  questionest ;  briefly,  then,'  she  said, 
'  I  will  inform  thee  why,  without  alarm, 
I  wander  hither :  nothing  is  to  dread, 
Except  those  things  that  work  a  brother's  harm. 
Such  things  alone  are  to  be  feared ;  and  such 
Have  I  been  fashioned  by  the  grace  of  God 
That  me  thy  misery  hath  no  power  to  touch,  — 
No,  nor  the  flames  of  this  austere  abode. 
In  heaven,  one  gentle  mourner  so  laments 
The  sore  distress  I  send  thee  to  relieve, 
That  in  his  rigor  Justice  half  relents ; 
From  her  did  Lucia  this  command  receive : 
"  Now  needs  thy  faithful  one  thy  service  :  go  ! 
To  thy  sole  care  his  fortmie  I  confide." 
Then  Lucia,  cruelty's  most  constant  foe, 
Came  where  I  sat  by  ancient  Rachel's  side. 
"  Why,  Beatrice,  true  praise  of  God !  "  she  said, 
"Dost  thou  not  speed  thee  to  befriend  thine  own, 
Who  for  thy  love  the  vulgar  crowd  hath  fled  ? 
Hearest  thou  not  the  misery  of  his  moan  ? 
Seest  thou  the  death  wherewith  he  now  must  cope 
By  that   dark  stream  whose   waves   like   ocean's 
toss?  " 


12  HELL. 

Never  did  worldling  fly  so  swift,  in  hope 

Of  making  profit,  or  in  fear  of  loss, 

As  I,  thus  hearing  her  mine  office  teach, 

Left  my  blest  seat,  and  hither  hastening  came, 

Putting  my  trust  in  thy  majestic  speech. 

Which  honors  thee,  and  gives  thy  pupils  fame.' 

"  After  thus  arguing,  she  turned  away 

Those  radiant  eyes  which  piteous  drops  did  fill : 

This  gave  me  speed ;  and  thus,  without  delay, 

I  came  to  thee,  obedient  to  her  will. 

'Twas    I  who    saved   thee   from   the    She-Wolf's 

wrath. 
Which  o'er  that  fair  mount  hindered  so  thy  road ; 
What  now  ?    What  makes  thee  falter  in  thy  path  ? 
Why  should  thy  heart  so  timidly  forebode  ? 
Why  art  not  fearless,  resolute,  and  free, 
Since  three  such  beings  beautifid  and  blest. 
Even  in  the  courts  of  Heaven,  watch  over  thee, 
And  so  much  good  my  promise  hath  exprest?" 

As  flowerets,  by  the  frosty  breath  of  night 
Shut  up  and  drooping,  soon  as  daylight  glows 
Spring  on  their  stems  all  open  and  upright. 
Even  so  my  wearied  courage  freshly  rose ; 
And  such  gay  spirits  coursed  my  bosom  through 
That  now,  enfranchised,  I  was  bold  to  say  : 
"  O  pitying  soul  to  my  relief  that  flew ! 


CANTO   THE    THIRD.  13 

And  gracious  thou  so  quickly  to  obey  ! 

The  truth  alone  that  gentle  angel  spake 

In  her  kind  words,  and  thou  no  less  with  thine 

Dost  in  my  bosom  such  desire  awake 

That  gladly  I  renew  my  first  design. 

Then,  since  one  wish  conducts  us  both,  lead  on  ! 

Thou  art  my  Lord,  my  Master,  and  my  Guide." 

Thus  I  addressed  the  shadow,  and  anon 

Through  the  steep  woody  way  began  to  glide. 


CANTO   THE  THIRD. 

Through  me  you  reach  the  City  of  Despair : 
Through  me  eternal  wretchedness  ye  find : 
Through  me  among  perdition'' s  tribe  ye  fare: 
Justice  inspired  my  lofty  founder  s  mind: 
Poicer^  love^  and  wisdom^  heavenly^ firsts  most  high^ 
Created  me.     Before  me  naught  had  been 
Save  things  eternal,  and  eterne  am  I: 
Leave  here  all  hope,  O  ye  who  enter  in  ! 

These  words  upon  the  gateway,  overhead, 

In  blackest  letters  written,  I  discerned. 

"  Master,  their  sense  is  terrible,"  I  said  ; 

And  thus  to  me  the  ready  Sage  returned  : 

"  Perish  each  coward  thought !  be  firm,  be  bold  : 

We  've  reached  the  place  wherein,  as  told  thou  wast. 


14  HELL. 

The  miserable  race  tliou  shalt  behold, 
Who  of  their  intellect  the  good  have  lost." 
Aiid  thereupon  my  hand  he  took  in  his, 
With  a  glad  look,  fresh  courage  to  bestow, 
And  straight  unfolded  all  the  mysteries, 
'Mid  sighs,  laments,  and  hollow  howls  of  woe. 
Which,  loud  resounding  through  the  starless  air, 
Forced  tears  of  pity  from  mine  eyes  at  first ; 
For  divers  tongues  and  horrid  language  there. 
With  words  of  agony,  wrath's  frequent  burst. 
Shrieks,  and  hoarse  outcries,  with  a  noise  of  hands. 
Mingling  forever,  vex  in  tumult  strange. 
As  when  a  whirlwind  tosses  round  the  sands. 
That  air  whose  tints  come  from  no  season's  change. 

And  I,  my  head  in  stupid  horror  bound, 
Said :  "  Master,  tell  me,  what  is  this  I  hear  ? 
What    wretched    souls    are    these    in    anguish 

drowned  ?  " 
To  which  he  answered  :  "  This  award  severe 
On  those  unhappy  spirits  is  bestowed. 
Of  whom  nor  infamy  nor  good  was  known. 
Joined  with  that  wicked  crew  which,  unto  God 
Nor  false  nor  faithful,  served  themselves  alone. 
Heaven  drove  them  forth.  Heaven's  beauty  not  to 

stain ; 
Nor  will  the  deep  Hell  deign  to  have  them  there 
For  any  glory  that  the  damned  might  gain." 


CANTO   THE    THIRD.  15 

"  Master,"  I  asked,  "  what  torment  do  they  bear  ? 
Why  of  such  suffer in<^  are  such  groans  begot  ?  " 
"  Briefly,"  said  he,  ''to  die  they  have  no  hope  ; 
Envious  they  are  of  every  other  lot. 
In  such  a  blind  and  groveling  state  they  grope ; 
The  world  their  hateful  memory  doth  contemn ; 
Mercy  herself  would  scorn  for  them  to  plead ; 
Justice  disdains  them.     We  '11  not  speak  of  them : 
Give  them  a  glance,  one  only,  and  proceed." 

Then  I,  still  gazing,  saw  a  flag  unfurled, 

Indignant,  as  it  seemed,  at  any  rest. 

So  swiftly,  as  't  was  borne  along,  it  whirled ; 

And  after  it  a  countless  legion  pressed. 

Such  multitudes  I  ne'er  could  have  believed 

By  conquering  death  had  ever  low  been  laid ; 

And  some  I  recognized,  for  I  perceived 

Him  who  through  fear  that  great  refusal  made. 

At  once  I  understood  their  kind,  and  knew 

That  God  himself,  and  those  with  God  at  strife. 

Alike  despised  that  execrable  crew, 

Dead  souls,  which,  even  when  living,  had  no  life. 

Naked  they  were,  and  stung  from  toe  to  crown 

By  wasps  and  hornets  buzzing  round  them  thick  ; 

From  their   scarred  faces  to  their  feet  streamed 

down 
Tears,  mixed  with  blood,  which  loathsome  worms 

did  lick. 


16  HELL. 

Now,  gazing  farther  still,  I  could  discern 

A  crowd  upon  a  river's  ample  shore : 

"  Who  are  those.  Master  ?  what,  I  fain  would  learn. 

Makes  them  appear  thus  anxious  to  pass  o'er  ? 

Yet  through  the  gloom  their  forms  I  scarce  can 

trace." 
"  These  things,"  he  answered,  "  thou  shalt  know 

anon. 
Soon  as  we  slack  stwhile  our  painful  pace, 
On  the  sad  marge  of  ancient  Acheron." 
Then,  fearing  lest  too  freely  I  had  spoke 
What  to  my  Guide  importunate  might  seem, 
I  bent  mine  eyes,  abashed,  nor  silence  broke. 
Until  we  reached  the  border  of  the  stream. 

And  toward  us,  in  a  vessel,  rowing,  lo  ! 

An  aged  hoary  man,  with  hair  snow-white, 

Came  crying  :  "  Woe  to  ye,  bad  spirits,  woe  ! 

Never  hope  ye  to  enjoy  Heaven's  blessed  sight. 

I  come  to  bear  ye  to  the  other  bank ; 

In  darkness  infinite,  in  heat,  in  cold : 

But  thou,  who  still  dost  with  the  living  rank. 

Begone !  nor  mingle  with  the  dead  so  bold." 

Then,  seeing  that  obedience  I  declined  : 

"  Some  other  way  approach  the  strand  I  "  quoth  he  : 

"  You  pass  not  here  ;  another  ferry  find  ; 

Some  less  o'erladen  bark  must  carry  thee !  " 

"  Vex  not  thyself,  O  Charon  !     Thus  't  is  willed 


CANTO   THE   THIRD.  17 

Where  what  is  willed  is  done  ;  demand  no  more  :  " 
My  Leader  thus  the  shaggy  helmsman  stilled, 
Who  pilots  all  that  livid  marish  o'er. 
Round  his  red  eyes  rolled  wheels  of  living  flame  ; 
But  those  tired  ghosts,  quivering  like  naked  birds, 
Their  teeth  all  chattering,  paler  still  became, 
Soon  as  they  caught  the  inexorable  words. 
Then  God  Almighty  they  blasphemed,  and  those 
From  whom  they  sprung,  their  parents  and  their 

kin. 
The  human  race,  the  seed  wherefrom  they  rose, 
The  hour  and  place  they  were  engendered  in. 

So,  as  all  must  who  fear  not  God,  the  shoal 
Withdrew,  loud  howling,  toward  that  sinful  shore  ; 
Fiend  Charon,  with  his  eyes  of  burning  coal. 
Beckoning  them,  beats  each  laggard  with  his  oar, 
And  gathers  them  together  as  they  drop. 
Like  leaves  in  autumn  falling  thickly  round. 
Each  after  each,  till  every  towering  top 
Yields  all  its  yellow  vesture  to  the  ground  : 
Even,  in  like  manner,  Adam's  seed  impure 
Throw  from  the  brink  their  figures,  one  by  one. 
At  given  signs,  as  birds  obey  the  lure. 
Then  glide  together  o'er  the  waters  dun. 
And,  ere  they  have  departed,  draweth  nigh 
Another  spectral  army  to  the  strand. 
*'  Son  !  "  said  my  gracious  Master,  "  all  who  die 


18  HELL. 

In  their  God's  wrath  meet  here  from  every  land. 
Justice  divine  stills  goads  them  onward  so 
That  every  fear  becomes  desire  at  last ; 
And  o'er  the  flood  right  willingly  they  go  : 
By  no  good  sj^irit  ever  is  it  passed. 
Therefore  did  Charon  of  thyseK  complain ; 
And  what  he  meant  thou  comprehendest  now.'* 

He  ceased.     The  gloomy  region  shook  amain  ! 
Still  its  mere  memory  bathes  with  sweat  my  brow 
Rumbled  that  land  of  tears  with  moaning  wind ; 
A  light,  vermilion-colored,  flashed  from  Hell ; 
And  wholly  vanquishing  my  palsied  mind. 
Even  as  a  man  whom  sleep  o'ertakes,  I  fell. 


CANTO   THE   FOURTH. 

My  brain's  deep  sleep  was  broken  by  a  stroke 
Of  jarring  thunder,  so  that  roused  upright, 
Like  one  by  sudden  violence  awoke, 
With  eyes  refreshed,  I  rolled  around  my  sight ; 
And  fixedly  I  gazed,  the  place  to  Iniow 
Wherein  I  found  me  :  o'er  the  brink  I  hung 
Of  the  dread  valley  of  the  abyss  of  woe. 
Whence   gathered  groans   in   ceaseless   thunders 

rung. 
Dark,  fathomless,  it  yawned ;  clouds  o'er  it  curled  ; 


CANTO    THE   FOURTH.  19 

Down  in  its  depths  I  pored,  but  naught  discerned. 
"  Descend  we  now  to  yonder  rayless  world," 
The  Poet  said,  and  deadly  pale  he  turned  ; 
"  But  be  thou  second  ;  I  will  go  the  first.  " 
Whereto  I  answered,  noting  his  changed  hue, 
''  Art  thou  dismayed  who  still   my  strength  hast 

nurst  ? 
Then  how  shall  I  this  journey  dare  pursue  ?  " 
Then  he  to  me  :  "  The  anguish  that  you  hear 
Of  those  who  moan  below  there  makes  my  face 
Pallid  with  pity  ;  never  think  I  fear  ! 
But    come;  our  long   road   chides   this   lingering 

pace." 

Herewith  he  entered,  and  conveyed  me  in 
To  the  first  circle  of  the  pit  profound. 
Where  naught  distinct  I  heard,  but  one  low  din 
Of  sighs  that  shook  the  eternal  breeze  around : 
Sighs  born  of  mental,  not  of  corporal  throes, 
'Mid  countless  crowds  of  women,  babes,  and  men. 
"  Inquir'st  not,"  said  my  Master,  "  who  are  those, 
The  spirits  yonder,  now  within  thy  ken  ? 
Ere  thou  proceed,  this  to  thy  knowledge  add : 
No  sinners  they ;  if  so  far  they  have  meed, 
'T  is  not  enough,  since  they  no  baptism  had  ; 
This  doctrine  being  portion  of  thy  creed. 
Christ's  coming,  too,  since  they  were  born  before, 
(And  numbered  with  such  hapless  ones  am  I) 


20  HELL. 

They  could  but  ignorantly  God  adore, 
For  which  deficiency  alone  we  die ; 
Punished  thus  far,  that  in  desire  we  dwell, 
Ceaseless  desire  where  hope  hath  never  birth." 
I  grieved  to  hear  him,  for  I  knew  right  well 
Hung  in  that  Limbo  many  a  soul  of  worth. 
"  Tell  me,  my  Master,  tell  me.  Sire,"  I  said, 
"  To  assure  that  faith  which  sets  all  doubt  at  rest, 
By  his  own  merits,  or  another's  sped. 
Went  any  ever  hence  to  join  the  blest  ?  " 
Then  he,  who  well  my  inmost  meaning  knew. 
Answered :  "  Herein  I  had  not  long  been  bound, 
When  an  All-puissant  One  I  saw  march  through. 
With  victory's  radiant  sign  triumj^hal  cro\\Tied. 
He  led  from  us  our  Father  Adam's  shade  ; 
Abel,  and  Noah  whom  God  loved  the  most ; 
Lawgiving  Moses  who  that  law  obeyed ; 
Abra'am  the  patriarch  ;  royal  David's  ghost ; 
Israel,  his  father  and  his  sons  ;  and  her 
Whom  Israel  served  for  faithfully  and  long, 
Rachel,  with  more,  to  bliss  did  he  transfer  : 
No  souls  were  saved  before  this  chosen  throng." 

During  these  words  our  pace  we  did  not  slack, 

But  passed  the  forest  (forest,  let  me  say). 

So  thickly  swarmed  the  spirits  round  our  track. 

Nor  had  we  far  descended  on  our  way. 

When,  through  the  gloom  of  that  black  hemisphere, 


CANTO   THE   FOURTH.  21 

A  light  I  noticed  which  the  darkness  quelled, 

And  partly  saw,  though  still  not  very  near, 

A  race  of  dignity  that  region  held. 

"  Thou  who  all  knowledge  honor'st,  and  all  art ! 

What  souls  are  those  who  seem  thus  glorified, 

That  from  the  others  they  are  set  apart  ?  " 

"  Their   names,"  he  said,  "  are  sounded   far   and 

wide; 
Some  grace  Heaven  grants  them,  for  thy  world's 

esteem." 
So  speaking,  fell  a  voice  upon  mine  ear : 
"  Honor  and  glory  to  the  Bard  supreme  ! 
Whose   shade,    which   left   us   lately,   now  draws 

near." 
Then,  as  this  voice  grew  quiet,  and  was  hushed, 
Four  mighty  shades  I  saw  advancing  dim  ; 
No  sorrow  paled  their  cheeks  nor  gladness  flushed. 
"  Look !  "  my  good  Master  said  :    "  take    note  of 

him. 
The  first,  who  bears  a  sword,  and  chief  is  reckoned. 
'T  is  Homer,  of  all  bards  the  sovereign  classed  ; 
Horace  the  satirist,  he  comes  the  second ; 
The  third  is  Ovid  ;  Lucan  is  the  last. 
Since  all  their  voices,  mingling  thus  in  one. 
Give  me  a  title  which  alike  we  share, 
They  do  me  honor,  and  't  is  nobly  done." 
Thus  the  whole  school  I  saw  assembled  fair 
Of  him,  song's  loftiest  lord,  that  o'er  the  rest 


22  HELL. 

Soars  like  an  eagle  ;  they  conferred  awhile, 

Then,  me  saluting,  much  good-will  exprest, 

Whereat  my  Master  blandly  deigned  to  smile. 

Nay,  honor  they  devised  for  me  still  higher, 

In  bidding  me  with  their  sage  throng  unite, 

So  I  was  sixth  amid  that  learned  choir ; 

And  on  we  moved,  still  traveling  toward  the  light. 

Speaking  of  things  best  unsaid  in  my  rhymes. 

Though  there  becoming,  we  pursued  our  road 

Toward  a  proud  castle,  walled  about  seven  times ; 

Round  which,  a  fair  defense,  a  streamlet  flowed. 

O'er  this  we  passed,  as  it  had  solid  been. 

And   through   seven   gates,  with   our  companions 

wise, 
Entered  a  meadow  fresh  with  living  green, 
Where  dwelt  a  race  with  grave,  majestic  eyes. 
Authority  was  writ  in  every  face ; 
Sweetly  they  spake,  but  seldom  :  we  withdrew 
Into  an  open  luminous  high  place, 
So  that  the  whole  were  facile  to  my  view. 

Straight  was  I  shown,  on  that  enameled  mead. 
Those  mighty  spirits  whom  the  world  commends. 
Whom  to  have   looked  on  makes    me    proud    in- 
deed : 
I  saw  Electra  circled  with  her  friends  ; 
Hector  I  marked  ;  ^neas  'mid  the  ring  ; 
Caesar,  all  armed,  and  like  a  hawk  fierce-eyed  ; 


CANTO   THE  FOURTH.  23 

Pentliesilea,  with  Camilla  ;  King 

Latinus  resting  by  Lavinia's  side ; 

Brutus  I  saw,  who  Tarquin's  tribe  expelled; 

Cornelia,  Marcia,  Julia,  chaste  Lucr^e ; 

There  Saladin  sequestered  I  beheld  ; 

Then,  looking  up,  that  master  sage  of  Greece, 

The  Stagirite,  who  sat  all-honored  there 

Girt  with  his  philosophic  household  band  ; 

Plato  I  saw,  and  Socrates  :  this  pair 

Before  their  fellows,  next  the  leader  stand ; 

Thales  I  saw,  and  Zeno  at  a  glance, 

With  Anaxagoras  ;  Diogenes  ; 

Democritus,  who  lays  the  world  to  chance ; 

Heraclitus  ;  Orpheus  ;  Dioscorides, 

Good  herbalist  that  was  ;  Empedocles  ; 

Seneca,  Livy,  Tully,  matchless  men  ! 

Earth-measuring  Euclid  ;  Ptolemy  ;  by  these 

Galen,  Hippocrates,  and  Avicen  ; 

Averroes,  that  commentator  vast  — 

But  ah  !  of  all  I  cannot  duly  speak, 

So  by  my  subject  is  my  power  surpassed  ^ 

Whate'er  I  tell,  compared  with  truth,  is  weak. 

We  six  companions  here  in  twain  divide ; 
From  that  still  air  to  one  with  tempests  shook 
I  came,  conducted  by  my  sapient  Guide ; 
A  gloomier  part,  by  every  beam  forsook. 


24  HELL. 


CANTO  THE  FIFTH. 

From  that  first  circle  parting  thus,  I  went 
Down  to  the  next,  which  girds  a  lesser  space. 
Yet  where  worse  pains  the  howling  souls  torment : 
There  Minos,  grinning,  stands  with  hideous  face, 
And  scans  the  offenses  of  each  comer-in. 
When  the  bad  soul  its  guilt  hath  fully  told, 
He  knows  its  place,  and  judgeth  every  sin. 
As  in  strange  wise  his  form  he  doth  infold ; 
How  many  ranks,  according  to  their  crimes. 
Each  must  descend,  he  noteth  with  his  tail, 
,    Winding  it  round  his  loins  so  many  times : 
^  Nunibers  before  him  always  wait  and  wail. 
By  turns  they  come  to  judgment  and  confess. 
And    hear   their   doom,    then   down   are    hurried 

straight. 
"  O  thou,  who  seek'st  this  mansion  of  distress," 
Cried  Minos,  pausing  in  his  work  of  fate, 
"  Beware !  beware  in  whom  thou  wouldst  confide  ; 
Take  heed  of  entering  ;  trust  not  this  broad  way ! '' 
.    "  Wherefore  this  empty  clamor  ?  "  said  my  Guide  : 
"  His  destined  passage  dare  not  thou  to  stay ! 
Vex  thee  not,  Minos  ;  even  thus  't  is  willed 
Where  what  is  willed  is  done.    Demand  no  more  !  " 
Now  were  mine  ears  with  notes  of  anguish  thrilled, 
Now  countless  lamentations  pierced  me  sore. 


CANTO   THE  FIFTH.  25 

I  reached  a  spot  with  scarce  a  glimmer  blest, 
Which  roared  like  ocean  torn  by  warring  storms  : 
The  infernal  blast,  which  never  knoweth  rest, 
In  furious  wreck  whirls  on  the  shadowy  forms, 
Driving  and  madly  dashing  them  along; 
And,  when  destruction's  very  brink  they  reach, 
Then    shriek,   then    scream    and-  yell   the  frantic 

throng, 
Yea,  Heaven's  High  King  blaspheme  with  horrid 

speech  I 

Such  pangs,  I  found,  those  carnal  sinners  feel 
Who  to  low  impulses  their  reason  bowed  ; 
And  like  as  starlings  in  the  winter  wheel 
Their  airy  flight,  a  large,  wide-wavering  crowd, 
So  that  fierce  gust  these  erring  spirits  blows 
This  way  and  that  way,  up  and  down  the  cope ; 
Nor  can  they  find,  I  say  not  of  repose. 
But  of  diminished  pain,  one  moment's  hope. 
Or  like  as  cranes,  a  melancholy  swarm. 
Go  moaning  through  the  air  in  one  long  trail. 
So  I  beheld,  before  the  pelting  storm, 
Those  ghosts,  fast-flying  with  incessant  wail. 

"  Master,"  I  asked,  "  what  wretched  race  is  that. 
Scourged  in  this  murky  air  to  such  extreme  ?  " 
"  The  foremost  of  them,"  he  replied,  "once  sat 
Empress  o'er  many-languaged  lands  supreme. 


26  HELL. 

In  lust  she  grew  so  boundless  and  so  free 
That,  haply  so  to  vindicate  her  shame, 
She  rendered  lewdness  lawful  by  decree : 
Seniiramis  that  is,  well  known  to  fame. 
The  land  the  Sultan  sways  she  ruled  in  pride, 
To  Ninus  the  successor  and  the  spouse. 
The  other  is  the  amorous  suicide, 
Who  to  her  dead  Sicheus  brake  her  vows." 
Voluptuous  Cleopatra  next  I  saw ; 
Helen,  the  guilty  cause  of  woes  so  vast. 
On  great  Achilles  next  I  looked  with  awe, 
Who  fought  with  love  eternal  to  the  last. 
Paris  and  Tristan  then,  and  many  more, 
More  than  a  thousand  shadows  as  they  flew, 
He  pointed  out  to  me,  and  named  them  o'er. 
On  earth  whom  Love's  unhallowed  passion  slew. 
When  I  had  heard  my  Teacher  call  by  name 
These  knights  and  ladies  of  the  olden  time, 
My  wildered  soul  compassion  quite  o'ercame. 
And  I  began  :  "  Great  Builder  of  the  rhyme ! 
Fain  would  I  speak  with  yonder  pair  who  glide 
Together,  light  before  this  whirlwind  borne." 
"  Watch  them  until  they  're  nearer,"  he  replied ; 
"  Then,  by  that   love    which  leads    them   here   to 

mourn, 
Beseech  them  they  will  come."     Whereat  I  did 
Invoke   them,    when   the    gale    had    blown    them 

near : 


CANTO    THE   FIFTH.  27 

"  O  troubled  spirits  !  come,  unless  forbid 

By  some  High  Power,  your  story  let  us  hear !  " 

As  wandering  doves,  bound  homeward  through  the 

sky, 
Called  by  desire,  with  wings  wide-open  thrown. 
Steadily  toward  their  pleasant  dwellings  fly. 
Sped  ever  onward  by  their  wish  alone  ; 
So,  from  the  troop  where  Dido  ranks,  they  sailed 
Toward  me,  through  that  dim  atmosphere  malign, 
My  passionate  entreaty  so  prevailed. 

"  O  breathing  being,  gracious  and  benign. 
Who  com'st  to  visit  through  this  lurid  air 
Us,  whose   heart's   blood  hath  stained   the  world 

above ! 
To  Him  who  rules  the  universe  our  prayer 
Should  rise  for  thy  soul's  peace  had  we  His  love ; 
And,  since  thou  pitiest  thus  our  ill-starred  fate, 
Listen,  or  speak ;  for,  whatsoe'er  ye  will, 
AVe  will  as  freely  hear  of  as  relate. 
While  this  dread  blast  is  for  the  moment  still. 

"  My  native  city  stands  upon  the  shore 
Where  Po  descends  in  Adria's  peace  to  rest. 
Raging  with  all  his  rivulets  no  more. 
Love,  quick  to  kindle  every  gentler  breast. 
Fired  this  fond  being  with  the  beauteous  shape 


28  HELL. 

Bereft  me  so,  (I  shudder  at  the  way !) 
Love,  who  permits  no  loved  one  to  escape, 
Me  too  subduing,  charmed  with  equal  sway ; 
Even  here  thou  seest  the  rapture  hath  not  died  : 
And  Love  led  both  of  us  to  one  fell  death, 
But  Cain's  own  pangs  our  murderer  must  bide." 
These  broken  words  came  wafted  on  their  breath. 

Listening  these  injured  souls,  I  hung  my  head. 
"  What   dost    thou   think  ? "    inquired   the   Bard, 

"  Alas ! 
What  tender  thoughts,  how  strong  a  wish,"  I  said, 
"  Brought  those  two  lovers  to  their  woeful  pass !  " 
Then,  turning  round  to  them,  I  thus  began : 
"  Francesca !  tears  must  overflow  mine  eyes : 
My  pitying  soul  thy  martyr-throes  unman ; 
But  tell  me,  in  the  time  of  happy  sighs. 
Your  vague  desires  how  gave  Love  utterance  first  ?  " 
And  she  to  me  :  "  The  mightiest  of  all  woes 
Is,  in  the  midst  of  misery,  to  be  cursed 
With  bliss  remembered ;  this  thy  teacher  knows. 
Yet,  wouldst  thou  learn  our  passion's  root  and  head, 
As  one  may  speak  whose  eyes  with  tears  are  dim, 
So  will  I  speak.     Together  once  we  read 
The  tale  of  Lancilot,  how  love  seized  him ! 
Alone  we  were,  without  suspecting  aught : 
Oft  in  perusal  changed  our  cheeks  their  hue. 
And  oft  our  eyes  each  other's  glances  caught ; 


UAAJC^ 


CANTO   THE  SIXTH.  29 

But  one  sole  passage  't  was  tliat  both  overthrew. 
At  reading  of  the  longed-for  smile  to  be 
By  such  a  lover's  kissing  so  much  blest, 
This  dearest,  (never  shalt  thou  part  from  me  !  ) 
His  lips  to  mine,  to  mine,  all  trembling,  pressed. 
The  writer  was  our  Galeot,  with  his  book : 
That  day  we  read  no  farther  on."     She  stopped  ; 
Meanwhile  he  moaned  so  much,  compassion  took 
My  sense  away,  and  like  a  corse  I  dropped. 


CANTO   THE   SIXTH. 

My  mind  returning,  which  had  been  so  drowned 
In  pity,  listening  to  that  kindred  pair, 
Wildered  with  grief,  I  mark,  on  gazing  round, 
New  pangs,  new  victims  writhing  everywhere. 
Where'er  I  move,  where'er  mine  eye  explores 
The  peopled  gloom,  where'er  I  turn  again ; 
For  the  third  circle  now  I  reach,  where  pours 
One  heavy,  cursed,  cold,  relentless  rain. 
Thick  muddy  water,  snow  and  hailstones  coarse 
That  rayless  atmosphere  eternal  drench  ; 
Ceaseless  the  flood,  unchanged  in  kind  or  force  : 
The  land  it  soaks  is  putrid  with  one  stench. 
Fell  monster  Cerberus  with  hideous  clack 
Barks  at  the  sinners  from  his  triple  jaws  ; 
Ked  eyes  he  hath  ;  a  beard  bedaubed  and  black ; 


30  HELL. 

A  stomacli  turgid  ;  armed  with  fangs  his  paws. 
'T  is  his  the  unholy  crew  to  tear  and  rend 
Whose  yells  are  like  the  howlings  of  a  hound 
In  that  mad  storm  ;  and  often,  to  defend 
One  with  the  other  side,  they  turn  them  round. 
When  Cerberus,  that  serpent's  offspring  grim, 
Spied  us,  his  mouths  he  opened,  and  exposed 
His  jaggy  tusks,  quivering  in  every  limb. 
Hereat  my  Guide  stooped  down,  with  hands  un- 
closed. 
And  filled  them  with  a  portion  of  the  mire 
Which  down  those  ravenous  throats  he  straightway 

cast. 
As  bays  a  greedy  dog  with  fierce  desire, 
But  quiet  grows,  mumbling  the  snatched  repast 
For  which  alone  his  hunger  fights  and  strains  ; 
Even  so  were  hushed  those  ugly  gullets  three 
Of  devilish  Cerberus,  whose  howl  so  pains 
The  dizzy  ghosts  that  deaf  they  long  to  be. 

We  walked  o'er  shadows  by  the  bitter  sleet 
Battered  and  crushed  ;  and  on  their  empty  forms, 
Which  seemed  corporeal,  trod  with  trembling  feet, 
As  on  the  ground  they  lay  in  huddling  swarms. 
All  saving  one,  which  started  up  and  said, 
As  on  we  strode  past  that  poor  sitting  ghost : 
"  O  thou  who  through  this  horrid  Hell  art  led ! 
Speak  ;  recognize  me,  if  my  face  thou  know'st : 


CANTO   THE  SIXTH.  31 

Before  I  died,  full  surely  thou  wert  born." 
"  Haply,"  said  I,  "  thy  tortures  here  erase 
All  recollection  of  that  look  forlorn  : 
Till  now,  me  thinks  I  never  saw  thy  face. 
Tell,  then  :  who  art  thou,  in  this  region  dun, 
Shut  up  'mid  such  foul  agonies  to  pine  ? 
Greater  there  may  be  ;  more  disgusting,  none." 
Said  he  :  "  Thy  native  city  once  was  mine  : 
Within  those  walls,  which  with  an  envious  crew 
Like  a  heaped  sack  run  o'er,  my  sweet  life  passed. 
Ciacco,  my  townsmen  !  I  was  called  by  you  : 
Through  gluttony's  damned  sin  I  fell  at  last. 
Thence  am  I  thus  by  this  fierce  tempest  bruised, 
No  single  sufferer :  all  this  wretched  herd. 
My  brother-ghosts,  are  thus  severely  used 
For  a  like  faidt."     He  ended  with  this  word. 

"  Ciacco,"  said  I,  "  thy  miserable  fate 

Tempts    me   to   tears,    and   weighs    my   manhood 

down  ; 
But  tell  me,  if  thou  know'st,  what  griefs  await 
The  citizens  of  that  divided  town. 
Dwells  any  just  one  there  ?     Inform  me  why 
'T  is  thus  o'erwhelmed  in  discord's  raging  flood." 
"  After  long  contests,"  — this  was  his  reply,  — 
"  The  o]3posing  sides  shall  come  at  last  to  blood. 
The  rustic  faction  shall  in  fury  drive 
The  other  out,  but  soon  itself  must  bow : 


32  HELL. 

Within  three  suns  that  other  shall  revive, 
Strong  in  his  aid  who  comes,  a  neutral  now. 
Long  time  a  lofty  port  it  shall  sustain. 
Making  its  foes  beneath  harsh  burdens  groan, 
Howe'er  they  chafe  and  fret  themselves  in  vain  % 
Just  persons  two  there  are,  unheard,  unknown. 
Envy,  and  pride,  and  avarice,  these  three 
Pernicious  sparks  have  set  all  hearts  on  fire." 
He  ended,  speaking  in  this  mournful  key. 
"  Say  on  !  "  I  cried :  "  gi^ant  further  my  desire. 
Tegghiaio,  Farinata,  both  confessed 
Such  worthy  men  ;  Arrigo,  Mosca  too  ; 
Jacopo  Rusticucci,  with  the  rest 
Who  bent  their  talents  virtuous  deeds  to  do ; 
Fain  would  I  greet  them :  tell  me  if  they  dwell 
(An  earnest  longing  thrills  my  soul  to  know) 
Soothed   by   Heaven's   airs,    or   poisoned   in   this 

HeU?" 
Said  he :  "  With  blacker  soids  they  're   sunk  be- 
low, 
For    different   faults    down    toward    the    bottom 

hurled : 
If  thou  descend,  their  spirits  thou  mayst  see. 
Oh,  when   once   more   thou  walk'st   the   pleasant 

world, 
Then  I  implore  thee  to  remember  me !  ^ 

I  say  no  more,  nor  farther  give  reply." 
He  hung  his  head,  and  turned  his  face  away, 


CANTO   THE  SIXTH.  33 

Scanned  me  a  little  with  a  sidelong  eye, 

Fell  'mid  those  groping  ghosts,  and  groveling  lay. 

Here  spake  my  Guide :  "  Nothing  shall  rouse  him 

now. 
Till,  when   the  angelic   trump  shall   rend  earth's 

womb, 
Their  Mighty  Foe  shall  come  with  radiant  brow : 
Then  each  again  must  find  his  dismal  tomb ; 
Then  each  his  flesh  and  figure  shall  regain, 
To  hear  the  pealing  of  the  eternal  doom." 
So  with  slow  footsteps,  'mid  the  noisome  rain. 
Mixed  up  with  shades,  we  struggled  through  the 

gloom. 

And  touching  slightly  on  the  future  state, 

"  Master,"  said  I,  "  the  pangs  which  these  abide 

After  the  Judgment,  will  they  be  as  great. 

Or  less  or  worse  ?  "     "  Return  thee,"  he  replied, 

"  To  thy  philosophy,  which  teaches  this : 

As  grows  a  thing  more  perfect,  even  so 

Its  sense  grows  keener,  both  of  pain  and  bliss. 

Ne'er  can  these  wretches  true  perfection  know ; 

Yet  must  they  look  to  be  more  perfect  then." 

With  this,  and  more  which  I  forbear,  we  wound 

About  that  road  mitil  it  sloped  again  : 

Here  Plutus,  that  arch-enemy,  we  fovmd. 


34  HELL, 


CANTO  THE  SEVENTH. 

"  Satan  !  more  Popes :  lio  !  Satan,  Primate,  here ! " 
Plutus  began  with  accent  harsh  and  hoarse  ; 
Whereat  the  omniscient  Sage,  my  soul  to  cheer, 
Said  :  "  Fear  not  thou,  nor  falter  in  thy  course. 
Thy  destined  passage  down  this  craggy  path 
He  shall  not  hinder;  vain  is  all  his  might." 
Then  turning  to  those  lips  that  swelled  with  wrath, 
"  Silence,  curst  wolf  !  "  he  cried  ;  "  keep  down  thy 

sjjite ; 
On  thine  own  entrails  let  thy  fury  feed. 
Not  without  warrant  are  these  dei3ths  explored : 
'Tis  willed   on   high,  where  Heaven's   adulterous 

breed. 
Proud  rebels  !  fell  by  Michael's  vengeful  sword." 
As  well-filled  sails,  which  in  the  tempest  swell, 
Drop,  with  folds  flapping,  if  the  mast  be  rent, 
So  to  the  earth  that  cruel  monster  fell. 
And   straightway  down   to  Hell's   fourth   pit   we 

went. 

Now  deeper  yet  we  pierced  that  doleful  coast 
Earth's  universal  evil  which  contains  : 
Justice  of  God !  who  heapest  such  a  host 
As  there  I  witnessed  of  new  throes  and  pains, 
Why  of  our  crime  guch  scourges  do  we  make  ? 


CANTO   THE   SEVENTH.  35 

Since  not  the  leaj^ing  waves  which  upward  spout 
O'er  wild  Charybdis,  when  they  clash  and  break, 
Than  this  damned  crew,  more  madly  whirl  about. 
For  here  I  marked  a  still  more  numerous  flock, 
With  shrieks  and  tugging  breasts,  from  side  to  side 
Rolling   huge  weights  which   struck  with   violent 

shock : 
Then,  turning  roimd,  they  rolled  them  back,  and 

cried. 
In  mutual  censure  :  "  Why  so  close  to  keep  ?  " 
And  "  Why  so  eager  ye  to  throw  away  ?  " 
Then,   toward    the   point    opposed,    I    saw   them 

sweep, 
On  either  hand,  to  meet  in  fresh  aifray. 
Thus  chanting  ever  their  reproachful  song, 
Thereby  upbraiding  still  each  other's  fault. 
Back    through    their   dismal    round,    the    toiling 

throng 
Like  tilters  came,  renewing  the  assaidt. 
Heart-stung  with  grief,  I  said  :  ''  O  Master  mine  ! 
What  race  is  this  ?  and  those  on  our  left  hand. 
With  shaven  crowns,  the  sacerdotal  sign,  — 
Belonged  they  to  the  clergy's  holy  band  ?  " 
"  All  these,"  he  answered,  "  had  their  mental  sight 
So  far  distorted  in  life's  former  scene. 
They  never  used  their  worldly  wealth  aright ; 
And  this  is  plainly  what  these  outcries  mean. 
As,  doomed  for  different  sins  toward  either  bourn 


36  HELL. 

Of  this  sad  round,  they  diversely  advance. 
There,  'mid  yon  clerg}^,  with  their  tresses  shorn, 
Popes  lead  with  Cardinals  the  eternal  dance  : 
Avarice  o'er  these  once  held  sole  masterdom." 
"  Teacher,"  said  I,  "amid  that  restless  herd, 
Surely  acquainted  I  should  be  with  some. 
Who  to  my  knowledge  once  so  foully  erred." 
"  Vain  thought !  "  he  answered  ;  "  since  the  dark 

disgrace 
Of  their  ill-spent  and  ignominious  life, 
Their  forms  from  all  remembrance  doth  efface. 
Here  aye  they  clash  in  this  perpetual  strife : 
Those  with  clipped  locks,  and  these  with  fists  shut 

close, 
Shall  quit  their  sepulchres ;  for  all  were  thrust 
Either  by  avarice  or  profusion  gross 
From  the  fair  world  to  encounter  in  this  joust. 
I  will  not  smooth  it  o'er  with  phrases  bland. 
Now  mayst  behold,  my  son,  how  brief  a  bubble 
Are  those  vain  goods,  consigned  to  fortune's  hand, 
For  which   thy   race   fret   out   their   hearts   with 

trouble ; 
Since  all  the  gold  that  underneath  the  moon 
Was  ever  dug,  or  in  the  mine  yet  glows, 
Could  not  procure  one  weary  soul  the  boon, 
The  blessed  pittance,  of  an  hour's  repose." 

"  O  Master  mine  !  still  more  I  would  be  told ; 


CANTO   THE  SEVENTH.  37 

This  fortune  whom  thou  mention'st,  what  is  she, 

Who  seems  all  riches  in  her  clutch  to  hold?  " 

"  Poor  creatures !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  how  blind  are 

ye! 
Through  what  excess  of  ignorance  ye  fall ! 
Would  ye  might  learn  from  this  discourse  of  ours, 
That  He  whose  wisdom,  so  transcending  all. 
Gave  to  the  heavens  he  framed  presiding  powers, 
That  sphere  to  sphere  might  each  responsive  shine. 
And  every  part  with  equal  radiance  beam. 
So  to  earth's  glories  also  did  assign 
One  general  guide  and  guardian  power  supreme ! 
She  in  due  turn  wealth's  empty  dower  translates 
From    race   to   race,    from   blood    to   blood,   un- 
checked ; 
Hence  come  the  glory  and  decay  of  states, 
Obeying  all  a  power  whom  none  suspect ; 
For  like  a  serpent  in  the  grass  concealed. 
While  mortal  wisdom  'gainst  her  fights  in  vain, 
She,  even  as  other  gods  their  sceptres  wield. 
Disposes,  guides,  and  regulates  her  reign. 
No  truce  to  her  mutations  is  allowed ; 
Necessity  compels  her  to  move  fast, 
So  thick  the  claimants  on  her  bounty  crowd  ; 
She  't  is  at  whom  such  mangling  terms  are  cast ; 
Even  those  who  most  should  praise,  blaspheme  her 

most; 
But  her  their  curses  little  can  annoy, 


38  HELL. 

For  blest  is  she,  and  with  her  fellow-host, 
The  first-created,  fills  her  sphere  in  joy. 
Now  to  more  piteous  torments  w^e  '11  descend  ; 
Since  every  star  which  showed  its  rising  ray. 
When  first  I  sped  thy  journey  to  befriend. 
Is  sinking  fast,  and  chides  our  long  delay." 

The  circle  traversing,  its  brink  w^e  gained. 
Just  o'er  a  filthy  f  omit  of  purplish  hue  ; 
This,  boiling  over,  by  a  ditch  was  drained 
Which  the  dark  water  hardly  struggled  through. 
Entering  another  way  with  that  sad  rill 
Whose  inky  dribblings  down  beside  us  crept, 
We  still  accompanied  its  course,  until 
In  that  morass  whose  name  is  Styx  they  slept. 
Here,  at  the  scowling  precipice's  base, 
I  stopped,  intently  gazing,  and  beheld, 
Plunged  in  that  bog,  a  smeared  but  naked  race. 
With  wrathful  eyes,  and  veins  vnth.  anger  swelled. 
These  not  with  hands  alone  each  other  beat. 
But  headlong  rushed,  butting  and  striking  sore  ; 
Met  breast  to  breast,  and  fought  with  furious  feet ; 
Yea,  piecemeal  with  their  teeth  each  other  tore. 

"  Behold !  my  son,"  my  gentle  Master  said, 
"  The  souls  of  those  whom  anger  overthrew ; 
And  oh,  believe  me !  in  the  loathsome  bed 
Of  this  rank  fen  are  myriads  hid  from  view. 


CANTO   THE  EIGHTH.  39 

They  sigli  below,  and  by  their  sighing  stir 
The  surface,  bubbling  as  you  see,  around. 
Fixed  in  the  slime  they  murmur  :  '  Sad  we  were 
In  the  glad  air,  and  on  the  sunshine  frowned ; 
Still  in  our  blood  a  sullen  vapor  floats, 
Sad  in  this  dreggy  bottom  we  remain.' 
This  doleful  chant  they  gurgle  in  their  throats, 
Too  choked  with  mire  distinctly  to  complain." 

Thus,  a  great  circuit  making  'twixt  the  mud 
And  the  dry  bank,  we  re-assumed  our  jDace, 
Gazing  on  those  who  swilled  the  nauseous  flood : 
At  length  we  stopped  beside  a  turret's  base. 


CANTO  THE  EIGHTH. 

Resuming  my  suspended  strain,  I  say, 

Ere  to  the  foot  of  that  high  tower  we  came, 

Up  roved  our  eyes  its  summit  to  survey, 

Caught  by  a  signal  from  a  double  flame. 

Afar,  another  answering  beacon  burned 

Dimly  and  distant,  almost  out  of  sight. 

Unto  that  Sea  of  knowledge  then  I  turned. 

And    questioned  him:    ''What   means    this   lofty 

light  ? 
And  who  may  those  who  fire  yon  cresset  be  ?  " 
"  Yonder,"  said  Virgil,  "  on  the  slimy  bog, 


40  HELL. 

What  is  about  to  happen  thou  shalt  see, 
Unless  the  fen  conceal  it  with  its  fog." 

Never  an  arrow  bounded  from  a  string, 
Whizzing  so  lightly  through  the  upper  air, 
As  I  beheld  a  bark,  a  little  thing. 
Cleave  the  thick  clouded  flood,  and  toward  us  bear. 
A  single  pilot  steered  it  o'er  the  wave, 
Who   cried :    "  Art    come,    dark    spirit   and    ab- 
horred ?  " 
"  Phlegyas  !  Phlegyas  !  vainly  dost  thou  rave  ; 
Bootless,  this  time,  thy  clamor,"  said  my  Lord ; 
"  We  are  thine  only  while  thou  row'st  across." 
Like  one  who  inly  grumbleth,  when  he  hears 
Of  some  foul  fraud  whereby  he  suffereth  loss. 
Grim  Phlegyas  in  his  gathering  rage  appears. 
Then  with  my  Guide  I  stepped  aboard  the  bark, 
Which,  till  my  entering,  seemed  devoid  of  weight : 
Soon  as  I  trod  that  vessel  old  and  dark, 
The  prow  cut  deeper  with  the  unwonted  freight. 

As  thus  we  ploughed  through  that  dead  sea  of  slime, 
One  rose  before  me,  all  begrimed  with  clay, 
Growling  :   "  Who  'rt  thou,  who  com'st  before  thy 

time?" 
"  To  come,"  I  answered  him,  "  is  not  to  stay. 
But  who  art  thou,  so  hideous  in  thy  pain  ?  " 
"  You  see,"  he  muttered,  "  I  am  one  who  mourn." 


CANTO   THE  EIGHTH.  41 

"  Curst   spirit ! "  I  answered,  "  in   thy  pangs   re- 
main ; 
I  know  thee,  even  thus  filthy  and  forlorn." 
'Gainst  us  both  hands  he  lifted,  with  a  frown  ; 
Wary  of  which,  the  Master  thrust  him  back. 
Crying  :  "  Detested  dog  !  down  with  thee,  down  ! 
Go,  beastly  wretch,  and  join  thy  fellow-pack." 
Then  round  about  my  neck  his  arms  he  threw, 
And  kissed  me,  saying  :  "  Thou  indignant  soul, 
Blessed  within  whose  womb  thy  burden  grew  ! 
On  earth,  his  arrogance  brooked  no  control ; 
No  gleam  of  goodness  to  his  memory  clings ; 
Thence  raves  he  thus  forever,  mad  with  wrath : 
And  oh,  what  numbers  now  are  mighty  kings. 
Who  here,  like  swine,  must  wallow  in  this  bath ! 
What  execration  shall  their  memories  wake  !  " 
"  Master,"    said    I,    "  my   wish    't  would    mainly 

please. 
Before  we  disembark  from  this  black  lake, 
To  see  him,  weltering,  plunged  beneath  its  lees." 

He  thus  rejoined  :  "  Before  we  come  much  nigher 

To  yonder  shore,  which  is  not  yet  in  sight. 

Thou  shalt  enjoy  the  full  of  thy  desire, 

And  witness  what  will  give  thy  soul  delight." 

So,  shortly,  I  beheld  that  loathsome  race 

On  the  foul  ghost  with  horrid  fury  fall ; 

For  which  my  thanks  I  render  to  God's  grace. 


42  HELL. 

"  Philip  Argenti !  at  him !  each  and  all !  " 
This  was  their  cry ;  the  frantic  Florentine 
With  his  own  teeth  his  limbs  in  anguish  tore, 
HeljDlessly  raging  'gainst  his  foes  obscene. 
We  left  the  miscreant  here :  of  him  no  more. 

Now  lamentations  loud  my  hearing  stun  ; 

Forward  I  send  mine  unimpeded  eye, 

While  thus  my  gracious  Master :  "  Now,  my  son, 

To  the  dark  walls  of  Dis  we  're  drawing  nigh ; 

There  the  sad  residents  by  myriads  grieve." 

'•'  O  Master  mine !  its  minarets  and  spires 

Plain  from  yon  valley,  peering,  I  perceive, 

Vermilioned  o'er,  as  rising  out  of  fires." 

"  As  thou  descriest,"  he  answered,  "  they  are  dyed 

By  inward  fires,  in  this  low  Hell  unquenched." 

So  up  the  ditches  we  began  to  glide. 

Which  that  disconsolate  domain  intrenched* 

The  dismal  town  meseemed  was  iron-walled : 
A  great  way  round  we  struggled  through  the  scum, 
Until  arrived  where  loud  the  helmsman  bawled : 
"Out  with  ye  !  to  the  entrance  ye  are  come." 
Then  I  beheld  toward  those  dark  portals  drive 
More  than  a  thousand  hurled  from  heaven,  who 

said 
In  angry  tones,  "  Who  's  this  that  still  alive 
Invades  the  gloomy  kingdom  of  the  dead  ?  " 


CANTO   THE  EIGHTH.  43 

Here  my  sage  Master  those  proud  spirits  becked, 
That  privately  with  them  he  fain  would  talli  ; 
Whereat,  their  contumely  slightly  checked, 
They  said  :  "  Walk  hither,  then,  but  singly  walk. 
Let  him  so  rashly  venturing  to  this  reign 
By  his  own  wit  retrace  his  foolish  road : 
Ay,  let  him  try !  thou  only  shalt  remain 
Who  guard'st  him  through  this  terrible  abode." 
Think,  reader,  how  I  shuddered,  as  I  heard 
The  surly  speech  of  that  accursed  crew ; 
Foreboding  sadly  from  each  bitter  word 
That  nevermore  the  sunlight  I  should  view. 
"  O  my  dear  Guide  !  whose  kindly  hand,"  I  said, 
"  Through  perils  infinite  and  foes  unknown. 
More  than  seven  times  my  faltering  feet  has  led, 
Leave  me  not  now  all  helpless  and  alone ! 
Since  further  progress  is  to  us  denied, 
Together  quickly  let  us  travel  back." 
Whereat  my  Leader  and  my  Lord  replied : 
"Fear   not:   our   destined   course   no   power   can 

slack ; 
'T  is  not  for  them  to  stop  what  Heaven  ordains ; 
Abide  thou  here,  while  I  to  greet  them  go. 
Cheer  up  !  let  hope  invigorate  thy  veins  : 
I  '11  not  desert  thee  in  this  world  below." 

The  gentle  Father  leaves  me  here  behind. 
To  speak  with  them,  while  I  remain  in  doubt 


44  HELL. 

With  no  and  yes  contending  in  my  mind  ; 
Nor  could  I  hear  what  they  conferred  about : 
But  with  our  foes  he  did  not  long  debate, 
For  they,  their  swiftness  putting  to  the  proof, 
Rushed  back,  and  bolted  in  his  face  the  gate : 
Returned  he  then  to  where  I  stood  aloof. 
Slowly,  with  fitful  pace,  and  drooping  lids. 
And  downcast  brow,  he  came,  and  sighing  spake : 
"  Who  to  yon  dreary  walls  my  way  forbids  ?  " 
Then  unto  me :  "  What  though  mine  ire  they  wake  ? 
Fear  not  but  in  this  contest  I  shall  win, 
Let  them  against  me  struggle  ne'er  so  hard : 
This  gang  ere  now  as  insolent  hath  been 
Up  at  that  portal  found  for  aye  unbarred. 
Its  fatal  dark  inscription  thou  hast  read ; 
And  even  now,  descending  by  the  slope. 
Comes,  without  escort,  through  the  circles  dread, 
One  whose  proud  hand  this  region's  gate  shall  ope." 


CANTO   THE   NINTH. 

The  craven  color  which  my  face  had  shown, 
When  sadly  back  I  saw  my  Leader  glide. 
Soon  checked  the  transient  flushing  of  his  own ; 
Hearkening  he  stood,  intent  and  eager-eyed. 
But  ill  his  gaze  could  fathom  that  thick  air 
As  thus  he  spake  :  "  In  this  approaching  fray 


CANTO   THE  NINTH.  45 

Conquer  we  must,  unless  —  but  why  despair  ? 
Such  help  will  come.     Oh,  wearisome  delay  !  " 

I  noted  well  how  his  conclusion  veiled 

The  doubtful  words  wherewith  his  speech  began, 

So  that  the  tenor  of  the  sentence  failed ; 

And  through  my  heart  a  timid  tremor  ran, 

For  haply  to  his  halting  phrase  I  gave 

A  worse  construction  than  the  Poet  meant. 

"  Say,  to  this  depth  of  misery's  concave. 

From  the  first  round  makes  any  soul  descent 

Of  them  whose  only  pain  is  hope's  suspense  ?  " 

To  this  inquiry  thus  my  Lord  replied : 

"  Rarely  doth  one  of  us,  reprieved  from  thence, 

Tread   the   dark  way  through  which  thy  steps   I 

guide. 
Soon  after  I  forsook  my  mortal  part, 
'T  is  true  that  hither  once  I  chanced  to  stray, 
Compelled  by  fell  Erictho,  her  whose  art 
Coidd  conjure  back  dead  spirits  to  their  clay : 
At  her  behest,  I  passed  through  yonder  wall 
To  lead  one  from  the  round  where  Judas  dwells ; 
The  most  removed  from  heaven  that  circleth  all ; 
The  deepest,  darkest,  worst,  of  all  the  hells. 
I  know  the  road  :  thy  vain  mistrust  forbear ; 
The  marsh  o'er  which  these  noisome  vapors  brood 
Girdles  and  guards  the  City  of  Despair, 
Where,  without  strife,  none  ever  can  intrude." 


46  HELL. 

Yet  more  he  said,  which  I  remember  not, 

Having  been  wholly  ravished  by  mine  eye. 

Toward  the  tower's  top,  which  glistened  crimsc 
hot, 

While  flashed  in  sight  three  hell-born  fiends  o 
high : 

Furies,  blood-stained,  female  in  limbs  and  air ; 

About  their  waists  were  greenest  hydras  wound ; 

Horned  snakes  and  vipers  formed  their  horrid  hair, 

Dangling  in  braids  their  savage  temples  round. 

Then  he  who  well  the  haggard  handmaids  knew 

Of  everlasting  sorrow's  doleful  queen, 

Exclaimed  :    "  Look   there !    yon   fierce    Erinnyds 
view : 

Megsera  yonder  on  thy  left  is  seen ; 

There,  on  thy  right,  the  sad  Alecto  wails ; 

Betwixt  them  scowls  Tisiphone."     This  spoke. 

He  ceased.    They  tore  their  bosoms  with  their  nails. 

Sore    bruised    themselves,    and    hideous    outcries 
woke. 

Close  to  the  gentle  Bard  I  clung  dismayed. 

"  Bring  forth  Medusa !  turn  the  wretch  to  stone  ! 

The  assault  of  Theseus  we  too  poorly  paid !  " 

Thus,  glaring  down,  all  shrieked  with  threatening- 
tone. 

"  Turn !  "  cried  the  Poet,  "  cover  quick  thine  eyes  ! 

Shouldst  thou  but  glance  upon  the  Gorgon's  head, 

Never  again  couldst  thou  behold  the  skies." 


CANTO    THE  NINTH.  47 

My  hands  distrusting,  with  his  own  instead 
He  turned  me  round  from  their  vindictive  ire, 
And  with  his  shadowy  fingers  veiled  my  gaze. 

0  ye  whose  intellects  are  sound !  admire 

The  mystic  meaning  my  strange  verse  conveys. 

Swept  now  amain  those  turbid  waters  o'er 

A  tumult  of  a  dread,  portentous  kind, 

Which  rocked  with  sudden  spasms  each  trembling 

shore. 
Like  the  mad  rushing  of  a  rapid  wind, 
As  when,  made  furious  by  oj^posing  heats. 
Wild   through   the   wood   the   unbridled   tempest 

scours. 
Dusty  and  proud,  the  cringing  forest  beats. 
And  scatters  far  the  broken  limbs  and  flowers ; 
Then  fly  the  herds,  the  swains  to  shelter  scud. 
Freeing  mine  eyes,  "  Thy  sight,"  he  said,  "  direct 
O'er  the  long-standing  scum  of  yonder  flood. 
Where,  most  condense,  its  acrid  steams  collect." 

As  frogs  before  their  enemy  the  snake. 
Quick-scattering  through  the  pool  in  timid  shoals, 
On  the  dank  ooze  a  huddling  cluster  make, 

1  saw  above  a  thousand  ruined  souls 
Flying  from  one  who  passed  the  Stygian  bog. 
With  feet  unmoistened  by  the  sludgy  wave ; 
Oft  from  his  face  his  left  hand  brushed  the  fog 


48  HELL. 

Whose  weight  alone,  it  seemed,  annoyance  gave. 
At  once  the  messenger  of  Heaven  I  kenned, 
And  toward  my  Master  turned,  who  made  a  sign 
That  hushed  I  should  remain  and  lowly  bend. 
Ah  me,  how  full  he  looked  of  scorn  divine ! 

He  reached  the  portals ;  with  a  little  rod 

Touched  them :  unbolted,  instantly,  they  flew ; 

Then,  on  the  horrid  threshold  as  he  trod, 

*'  O  Heaven-expelled !  "  he  'gan,  "  accursed  crew ! 

What  frantic  pitch  of  insolence  is  this  ? 

Why  vainly  kick  against  the  Will  supreme, 

Whose  mighty  aim  was  never  known  to  miss. 

Who  to  your  pangs  adds  oft  a  new  extreme  ? 

Hope  ye,  in  fighting  with  the  fates,  to  win  ? 

Your  Cerberus,  bethink  ye,  to  this  day. 

Bears  he  not  hairless  his  galled  throat  and  chin  ?  " 

This  said,  he  journeyed  back  his  loathsome  way. 

Nor  did  he  deign  to  notice  us,  but  wore 

The  look  of  one  whom  graver  cares  weigh  down 

Than  any  heed  of  whom  he  stands  before  : 

Securely  then  advanced  we  toward  the  town. 

His  hallowed  words  fresh  confidence  inspired  ; 
The  gates  we  passed  without  a  farther  fray ; 
And  I,  who  curiously  to  see  desired 
Their  state  who  pent  in  such  a  stronghold  lay. 
Soon  as  I  entered,  sent  my  gaze  around ; 


CANTO   THE  NINTH.  49 

And  lo  !  a  champaign  vast  on  every  side, 
Where  guilty  torments  reign,  and  griefs  abound, 
I  mark  with  wonder,  stretching  far  and  wide. 
Even   as   at   Aries,  where   spreads   the   stagnant 

Rhone, 
Or  as  at  Pola,  where  Quarnaro's  waves 
Bathe  and  bound  Italy,  the  fields  are  strewn 
And  rendered  ridgy  with  a  thousand  graves. 
So,  though  more  horrible,  this  region  seemed ; 
For  here  'mid  sepulchres  were  sprinkled  fires. 
Wherewith    the     enkindled    tombs     all -burning 

gleamed : 
Metal  more  fiercely  hot  no  art  requires. 
Their  lids  were  all  suspended,  whence  arose 
Distressful  groans  and  murmurs  of  lament. 
As  though  from  wretches  plunged  in  direst  woes. 
"  Master,"  said  I,  "  what  sinners  here  lie  pent? 
What  buried  race  thus  mutter  from  the  vaults?  " 
He  answered  thus  :  ^'  The  arch-heretics  behold ! 
Leaders  of  sects,  with  all  who  shared  their  faults. 
More  than  thou  think' st  these  crowded  caves  in- 
fold: 
Here  like  with  like,  each  with  his  kind  inurned, 
In  tortures  more  or  less  intense  are  cast." 
So  saying,  to  the  right  my  Master  turned. 
Then  'twixt  the  tombs  and  lofty  towers  we  passed. 


60  HELL. 

CANTO   THE   TENTH. 

Now  by  a  narrow  patli  my  Master  winds, 
Conducting  me  'twixt  those  tormenting  tombs 
And  tbe  town  walls.    "  O  tbou  whose  goodness  finds 
A  passage  for  me  through  these  impious  glooms ! 
Say,  sovereign  Wisdom !  satisfy  my  hope. 
May  man  behold  the  wretches  buried  here 
In  these  dire  sepulchres  ?     The  lids  are  ope, 
Each  hangs  upraised  ;  and  none  is  watching  near." 

To  this  he  answered :  "  When  they  come  at  last, 
Clothed  in  their  now  forsaken  frames  of  clay. 
From  dread  Jehoshaphat  (the  Judgment  past). 
These  flaming  dens  must  all  be  barred  for  aye. 
Here  in  their  cemetery,  on  this  side. 
With  his  whole  sect  is  Epicurus  pent. 
Who  thought  the  spirit  with  its  body  died. 
Soon,  therefore,  thy  desire  shall  be  content, 
Ay,  and  that  wish  which  thou  conceal' st  from  me." 
"  Good  Guide,"  I  said,  "  I  only  veil  my  heart. 
Lest  of  mine  utterance  I  appear  too  free : 
Thyself  my  monitor  of  silence  art." 
"  O  Tuscan !  thou  who  com'st  with  gentle  speech, 
Through  Hell's  hot  city,  breathing  from  the  earth, 
Stop  in  this  place  one  moment,  I  beseech ; 
Thy  tongue  betrays  the  country  of  thy  birth. 


CANTO    THE    TENTH.  51 

Of  that  illustrious  land  I  know  thee  sprung, 
Which  in  my  day,  perchance,  I  somewhat  vexed." 
Forth  from  one  vault  these  sudden  accents  rung, 
So  that  I,  trembling,  stood  with  fear  perplexed. 
Then  as  I  closer  to  my  Master  drew : 
"  Turn  back !  what  dost  thou  ?  "  he  exclaimed  in 

haste : 
"  See !  Farinata  rises  to  thy  view ; 
Now  mayst  behold  him  upward  from  his  waist." 

Full  in  his  face  already  I  was  gazing. 

While  his  front  lowered,   and   his   proud   bosom 

swelled. 
As  though  even  there,  amid  his  burial  blazing, 
The  infernal  realm  in  high  disdain  he  held. 
My  Leader  then,  with  ready  hands  and  bold, 
Forced  me   toward    him,   among   the    graves,   to 

pace. 
Saying :  "  Thy  thought  in  open  words  unfold." 
So  by  his  tomb  I  stood,  beside  its  base. 

Glancing  upon  me  with  a  scornful  air, 

"  Who  were  thine  ancestors  ?  "  he  coldly  asked. 

Willing  to  answer,  I  did  not  forbear 

My  name  or  lineage,  but  the  whole  unmasked. 

Slightly  the  spirit  raised  his  haughty  brows. 

And  said  :  ''  Thy  sires  to  mine  were  aye  adverse, 

To  me,  and  to  the  cause  I  did  esj)ouse ; 


52  HELL. 

Wherefore  their  legions  twice  did  I  disperse." 

"  What   though   they  banished  were  ?     They   all 

returned, 
Each  time  of  their  expulsion,"  I  replied ; 
"  That  is  an  art  thy  party  never  learned  ! " 
Hereat  arose  a  shadow  at  his  side. 

Uplifted  on  his  knees  he  seemed  to  me. 
For  his  face  only  to  his  chin  was  bare ; 
And  round  about  he  stared,  as  though  to  see 
If  other  mortal  with  myself  were  there. 
But,  when  that  momentary  dream  was  o'er, 
Weeping  he  groaned :  "  If  thou  this  dungeon  dim, 
Led  by  thy  soaring  genius,  dost  explore, 
Where    is   my   son?   ah,  wherefore   bring'st    not 
him?" 

"  Not  of  myself  I  seek  this  realm  forlorn  : 

He  who  waits  yonder  marshals  me  my  road ; 

Whom  once,  perchance,  thy  Guido  had  in  scorn." 

My  recognition  thus  I  fully  showed ; 

For  in  the  pangs  on  that  poor  sinner  wreaked. 

And  in  his  question,  plain  his  name  I  read. 

Suddenly     starting     up,     "  What !     what !  "    he 

shrieked, 
"  Sayest   thou,  '  he   had  '  ?  what  mean   ye  ?  is  he 

dead? 
Doth  heaven's  dear  light  his  eye  no  longer  bless  ?  " 


CANTO   THE   TENTH.  63 

Perceiving  how  I  hesitated  then, 
Ere  I  responded  to  his  wild  address, 
Backward  he  sunk,  nor  looked  he  forth  again. 

But  that  proud  soul  who  first  compelled  my  stay 
The  same  unalterable  aspect  wore, 
"Moved  not  his  neck,  nor  turned  him  either  way ; 
Stood  fixed ;  then  thus  continued  as  before  : 
"  And  if  that  art  my  brethren  could  not  learn, 
It  more  torments  me  than  this  fiery  couch ; 
Yet,  fifty  times  ere  Luna's  visage  burn, 
How  hard  that  lesson  is,  thyself  shalt  vouch. 
But  tell  me,  I  implore  thee,  —  so  mayst  thou 
In  the  sweet  world  for  evermore  remain !  — 
Why  that  vindictive  people  still  avow. 
In  all  their  laws,  their  hatred  of  my  strain  ?  " 

I  thus  :  "  The  carnage  and  the  vast  defeat, 
Which  dyed  the  waters  of  the  Arbia  red, 
Provoke  such  edicts  from  our  judgment-seat." 
Hereat  the  spirit  sighed,  and  shook  his  head. 
"  Not  singly,"  he  replied,  "  in  arms  I  rose. 
Nor  without  reason,  for  the  cause  was  just ; 
But  once  I  singly  stood,  when  all  her  foes 
Would  fain  have  laid  my  Florence  in  the  dust : 
Then  I,  alone,  opposed  that  base  decree." 
"  Prithee,"  said  I,  "  this  complicated  knot 
Resolve,  and  set  my  tangled  reason  free, 


54  HELL. 

So  be  a  long  repose  thy  children's  lot! 

If  rightly  I  conceive  you,  it  appears 

Your  eyes  foresee  whatever  time's  dark  hand 

Is  leading  forward  in  the  lapse  of  years, 

Yet  of  the  present  naught  ye  understand." 

"  True,"  he  rejoined  :  "  we  see  indeed,  like  those 
Whose  vision  is  imperfect,  things  afar ; 
Thus  much  of  light  the  Lord  of  light  bestows. 
To  all  near  objects  wholly  blind  we  are, 
And  nothing  know  we  of  your  human  state 
Save  some  one  else  our  ignorance  advise  : 
So,  when  for  aye  is  shut  the  future's  gate, 
Know,  from  that  instant  all  our  knowledge  dies." 

Then,  with  repentance  for  my  slowness  wrung, 

"  TeU,"  I  entreated,  "  yonder  fallen  shade. 

His  son  still  walks  the  breathing  world  among, 

And  tell  him  why  mine  answer  I  delayed  : 

Say  that  my  mind  with  misconceit  was  dim. 

Whereof  thy  teaching  now  has  cleared  my  thought." 

Here  my  Conductor  called  me  back  to  him ; 

Hastily  then  the  spirit  I  besought  : 

"  Say,  with  thyself  what  fellow-sufferers  herd?  " 

"  Upward,"  he  answered,  "  of  a  thousand  more. 

The  second  Frederic  is  here  interred. 

The  Cardinal  too ;  the  rest  I  '11  not  name  o'er." 


CANTO   THE  ELEVENTH.  55 

He  vanished  here ;  and  toward  the  ancient  Bard 
I  paced,  much  pondering  what  the  sentence  meant, 
Which,  as  it  seemed,  foretold  a  doom  so  hard. 
He  too  moved  onward,  whispering  as  he  went : 
"  Wherefore  so  pensive  ?  so  bewiklered  why  ?  " 
When  the  hid  reason  of  my  care  I  told. 
The  Sage  thus  counseled :  "  That  dark  prophecy, 
I  charge  thee,  still  in  thy  remembrance  hold. 
And  mark  thou  this  "  (he  raised  his  finger  here), 
"  When  thou  shalt  stand  before  the  gentle  ray 
Of  her  to  whose  fair  eye  all  things  are  clear, 
Thy  life's  whole  pilgrimage  will  she  display." 
To  the  left  hand  my  Master  turned  him  then : 
Quitting  the  wall,  we  toward  the  centre  wound, 
By  a  small  path,  descending  to  a  glen 
Whence  a  foul  stench,  uprising,  floated  round. 


CANTO  THE  ELEVENTH. 

On  the  steep  margin  of  a  circling  row 

Of  broken  rocks,  that  formed  a  lofty  bank. 

We  came  above  a  cruder  mass  of  woe 

In  the  deep  gulf  that  steamed  forth  vapors  rank. 

To  shun  the  foul  excess,  we  drew  behind 

A  huge  tomb's  lid,  whereon  these  words  I  read : 

"  I  hold  Pope  Anastasius  here  confined. 

Whom  from  the  ways  of  truth  Photinus  led." 


56  HELL. 

"  Slowly,"  said  Virgil,  "  must  we  now  descend. 
That,  somewhat  first  familiar  grown  thereby, 
Our  hardened  sense  these  fumes  may  less  offend." 
"  Yet  let  no  time  be  therefore  lost,"  said  I : 
"  Some  compensation  find  for  this  delay." 
"  Mark,  then,  my  son  ;  for  I  thereof  was  thinking. 
Within  these  rocks,"  proceeded  he  to  say, 
"  Three  circles  lie,  in  due  gradation  sinking, 
Resembling  those  above,  but  less  in  size : 
With  condemned  spirits  crowded  are  they  aU ; 
That  whose  mere  sight  hereafter  may  suffice. 
Hear  how  and  wherefore  they  are  held  in  thrall. 
The  end  of  each  bad  act  abhorred  of  Heaven 
Is  other's  wrong,  by  violence  or  guile, 
But,  since  mankind  alone  to  fraud  is  given. 
That  sin  is  in  the  esteem  of  God  more  vile  ; 
Therefore  the  fraudulent  are  down  more  deep, 
Suffering  the  penance  of  severer  woes. 
The  violent  the  whole  first  circle  keep. 
Which  tliree  less  rounds  distinguish  and  compose  ; 
For  man  by  force  three  persons  may  offend : 
Himself,  his  God,  his  neighbor,  he  may  wrong, 
I  mean  (as  clearly  thou  shalt  comprehend) 
Them,  or  whatever  doth  to  them  belong. 
His  neighbor's  person  he  may  violate 
By  deadly  strokes,  by  agonizing  wounds ; 
May  waste  or  burn  or  plunder  his  estate : 
Hence  the  first  ring  with  homicides  abounds, 


CANTO   THE  ELEVENTH.  57 

Therein  assassins,  thieves,  and  plunderers  hive, 
Tormented  all,  and  classed  in  various  bands. 
Man,  too,  himself  of  being  may  deprive, 
Or  on  his  own  goods  lay  destructive  hands : 
In  the  succeeding  round  all  such  repent, 
Who,  in  your  world,  their  being  dare  destroy, 
Who  see  God's  noble  gifts  ignobly  spent. 
Yea,  dwell  in  misery,  where  they  should  enjoy. 
Lastly,  the  Deity  is  wronged  by  them. 
Who,  in  the  covert  of  their  secret  hearts, 
Blaspheme  Him,  or  deny  Him,  or  contemn 
Nature,  and  all  the  gifts  her  grace  imparts. 
Therefore  the  last  division  sets  its  seal 
On  all  whose  hearts  gainsay  God's  holy  laws : 
Cahors  and  Sodom  shall  its  vengeance  feel. 

"  Now,  as  forjraud,  which  every  conscience  gnaws, 
This  wrong  in  twofold  way  a  man  may  do, 
On  him  who  doth,  or  who  doth  not  confide : 
The  latter  manner,  it  is  plain,  breaks  through 
The  bond  of  love,  which  Nature's  hand  hath  tied. 
Hence  the  next  circle  hypocrites  infest. 
Dealers  in  magic,  and  all  bartering  knaves ; 
There  simony  and  robbery  have  their  nest ; 
Panderers  and  flatterers  ;  all  such  filthy  slaves. 
The  other  mode  not  only  holds  in  scorn 
Love's  native  instinct,  but  the  acquired  good-will 
Whereof  a  special  confidence  is  born. 


68  HELL. 

Thence,  in  the  least  and  lowest  circle  still, 
Where,  in  the  centre  of  the  world,  Dis  reigns. 
Traitors  in  flame  for  evermore  consume." 
"  Master,"  said  I,  "  thy  clearness  well  explains 
This  guK,  its  people,  and  their  various  doom  : 
But  say :  those  wretches  in  the  unctuous  marsh ; 
Those  whom  the  gale  drives ;  those  the  rains  tor- 
ment; 
And  those  who  clashing  meet  with  language  harsh, 
Why  not  within  the  fiery  city  pent  ? 
Why,  if  the  Almighty  holds  them  in  His  wrath  ? 
If  not,  then  wherefore  in  such  pangs  confined  ?  " 

"  Whither,"  he  answered,  "  from  its  wonted  path 
Of  reason,  wanders  thy  distracted  mind  ? 
Hast  thou  the  memorable  words  forgot. 
Wherein  thy  Ethic  volume  treats  of  three 
Ill-dispositions  Heaven  approveth  not, 
Incontinence,  malice,  mad  brutality  ? 
And  how  incontinence  doth  less  offend 
Almighty  God,  less  culpable  by  far  ? 
If  to  this  doctrine  thou  attention  lend. 
Remembering  who  those  other  sinners  are 
(Those  that  above  in  late  repentance  pine). 
Thou  shalt  perceive  why  torments  less  severe 
Have  been  assigned  them  by  the  Judge  divine, 
And  why  they  're  separate  from  the  wicked  here." 
"  O  Sun !  who  purgest  each  beclouded  sight, 


CANTO   THE  ELEVENTH.  59 

Thy  clear  solution  satisfies  me  so 
That  doubt  and  knowledge  equally  delight ; 
Yet  back,  I  pray  thee,  for  a  little,  go ! 
Thou  said'st  before  that  usury  offends 
Goodness  divine :  this  knot  now  disengage." 

"  Philosophy,"  said  he,  "  this  lesson  lends 
To  him  who  searcheth,  in  full  many  a  page, 
That  Nature  ever  in  her  course  pursues 
The  mode  of  action  of  the  Sovereign  Mind ; 
And,  if  thy  physics  rightly  thou  peruse, 
This  truth,  ere  many  pages,  thou  shalt  find : 
That,  as  a  pupil  in  his  master's  course, 
Your  art  strives  after  Nature,  as  it  were 
Grandchild  of  God  from  whom  it  hath  its  sourceio 
By  these,  if  thou  to  Genesis  refer, 
God  said  that  man  must  live,  and  raise  his  race. 
Now,  from  this  law  the  usurer  doth  depart, 
His  best  hope  building  upon  something  base : 
Therefore  both  Nature  he  contemns  and  art. 

"  But  follow  me :  my  feet  impatient  are. 
Above  the  horizon's  verge  the  Fishes  leap ; 
All  o'er  the  northwest  spreads  the  glittering  Carj 
And  far  our  path  declines  down  yonder  steep." 


60  HELL. 

CANTO  THE  TWELFTH. 

The  cliff  we  came  to,  where  our  passage  lay, 
Was  rough  and  Alpine,  and  an  object  bore 
Which  every  eye  had  shrunk  from  in  dismay ; 
For,  like  the  fallen  mass  which  struck  the  shore 
Of  trembling  Adige,  on  this  side  of  Trent, 
Ill-propped,  or  loosened  by  some  earthquake,  so 
That  from  the  summit  whence  the  rock  was  rent 
Some  way  is  opened  to  the  vale  below. 
Such  was  the  steep ;  so  pathless,  and  so  rude ; 
And  o'er  it,  stretched  upon  the  broken  pile. 
There  lay  the  adulterate  heifer's  loathsome  brood, 
The  shame,  the  monster,  of  the  Cretan  isle. 
He  gnawed  his  limbs,  observing  us  advance. 
Like  one  from  inward  rage  that  seeks  relief. 
Whereat  my  sage  Conductor  cried :  "  Perchance 
Thou  deemest  this  to  be  the  Athenian  chief 
Who  shed  thy  life-blood  in  4:he  world  above. 
Brute  thing,  avaunt !     This  visitant  with  me 
Comes  not  befriended  by  thy  sister's  love : 
He  only  comes  your  punislnnents  to  see." 
As  doth  a  bullock,  plunging,  when  he  feels 
The  deadly  stroke  that  brings  him  to  the  gi'ound. 
Who  cannot  go,  but  sidelong  springs  and  reels, 
So  did  I  see  the  Minotaur  reel  romid. 
"  Kun !  "  cried  my  wary  Lord,  "  while  thus  in  wrath ; 


CANTO   THE   TWELFTH.  61 

Best  thou  make  speed. ;  betake  thee  to  the  strait." 
So  clown  we  clambered,  and  the  rocky  path 
Oft  shook  beneath  my  feet's  unwonted  weight. 

Pensive  I  went ;  and  my  observant  Sage 
Addressed   me    thus :  "  Perchance  thy  thought  is 

fiUed 
With  this  vast  ruin,  guarded  by  the  rage 
Of  the  fell  beast  whose  fury  I  have  stilled. 
Now  learn,  that  when  I  traveled  here  of  old, 
Down  this  way  to  the  depths  of  lower  Hell, 
This  precipice  was  not,  as  you  behold. 
Shattered  and  rent ;  but,  if  I  rightly  spell, 
Just  ere  He  came  who  bore  the  spoil  from  Dis, 
Of  the  first  circle,  ransomed,  up  above. 
So  shook  throughout  this  deep  and  foul  abyss,     ' 
Methought  the  universe  was  seized  with  Love, 
Which  oft,  as  some  believe,  with  violent  shock 
Hath  into  chaos  changed  again  the  world ; 
And  here,  and  more  elsewhere,  this  ancient  rock, 
At  that  dread  moment,  was  in  fragments  hurled. 
But  gaze  down  yonder :  we  approach  the  flood 
Where  all,  who  violent  'gainst  others  were. 
Welter  and  writhe  in  waves  of  boiling  blood." 

O  foolish  wrath !  blind  passion !   O  thou  spur 
That  goadest  us  through  life's  brief  scene  of  being, 
And  after  plungest  us  in  endless  woe  1 


62  HELL. 

A  moat  I  saw,  with  Virgil's  words  agreeing, 
Of  ample  width  and  bending  like  a  bow : 
While  thus  it  seemed  to  compass  all  the  plain, 
Between  it  and  the  precipice's  base 
Ran  Centaurs  armed  with  arrows,  in  a  train. 
As,  in  the  world,  they  once  pursued  the  chase. 

They  stopped  at  seeing  us  advance ;  and  three 
Rushed  with    their   bows   (their  arrows   choosing 

first). 
And  one  cried  out  afar  off :  "  What  seek  ye  ? 
What  destined  round  adown  the  cliff  accursed  ? 
Speak  where  you  stand,  or  else  I  pull  the  cord." 
"  Not  unto  thee,  to  Chiron  there  alone. 
Will  we  give  answer,"  thus  replied  my  Lord : 
"  Thy  will  to  rashness  evermore  was  prone." 
Then,  touching  me,  he  said :  "  'T  is  Nessus ;  look ! 
Who  for  the  beauteous  Dejanira  dying. 
Himself  full  vengeance  for  his  murder  took. 
Behold  the  middle  one,  his  bosom  eying ; 
That  is  great  Chiron,  who  Achilles  bred ; 
And  yon  is  Pholus,  erst  so  full  of  ire. 
By  thousands  thus  about  the  streamlet's  bed 
They  gallop,  shooting  each  that  riseth  higher 
Than  his  offense  permits  him  to  ascend." 
As  nearer  to  those  agile  beasts  we  drew, 
Grim  Chiron,  with  an  arrow's  feathered  end. 
Behind  his  jaws  his  long  beard  backward  threw. 


CANTO   THE   TWELFTH.  63 

As  thus  his  giant  mouth  the  monster  showed, 
"  Do  ye  perceive,"  he  to  his  comrades  said, 
"  The  one  behind  in  walking  shakes  the  road  ? 
Not  so  are  wont  the  footsteps  of  the  dead !  " 

Then  my  good  Escort  standing  at  his  breast. 

Where  the  two  natures,  fiend  and  beast,  unite, 

Replied  :  "I  bring  a  solitary  guest, 

Alive,  indeed,  to  show  this  vale  of  night. 

Fated  he  comes ;  but  not  for  pleasure's  sake 

She  from  her  heavenly  hallelujahs  came 

Who  bade  me  this  new  duty  undertake ; 

No  robber  he,  nor  I  a  soul  of  shame. 

But  by  that  virtue  whence  I  venture  thus 

Over  a  road  so  wild,  so  unexplored. 

One  of  thy  band  vouchsafe  to  go  with  us, 

And  show  us  where  the  river  we  may  ford ; 

And  on  his  back  this  being  let  him  take, 

Who  is  no  spirit  through  the  air  to  glide." 

Then  towards  his  right  breast,  Chiron  turned  and 

spake. 
Saying  to  Nessus :  "  Back !  and  be  his  guide  ! 
Keep  them  aloof,  if  other  troops  you  cross." 
So  onward  with  our  trusty  guard  we  went 
Along  the  brink  of  the  red-seething  fosse, 
Whence  bitter  shrieks  the  boiling  wretches  sent. 

Up  to  their  brows  I  saw  them  in  the  wave. 


64  HELL. 

"  Tyrants  those  are,"  the  mighty  Centaur  said, 

"  Who  their  fell  hearts  to  blood  and  plunder  gave  ; 

Here,  for  their  cruelties,  vain  tears  they  shed. 

There  's  Alexander ;  Dionysius  there, 

Long  years  of  woe  for  Sicily  who  made ; 

That  forehead  yonder  with  the  raven  hair 

Is  Azzolino  ;  that  of  lighter  shade 

Is  Obyson  of  Este,  whom  't  is  true 

His  stepson  murdered  in  the  world  on  high." 

I  turned  me  to  the  Bard,  who  said :  "To  you 

Be  now  the  Centaur  first ;  the  second,  I." 

A  little  farther  on,  the  Centaur  stopped 

Over  against  a  sunken  people,  shown 

To  the  throat  only,  which  the  stream  o'ertopped : 

There  one  he  pointed  out,  retired  alone. 

"  He  struck  in  God's  own  bosom,"  Virgil  said, 

"  The  heart  which  men  by  Thamis  yet  revere." 

Then  others  I  observed,  who  let  their  head 

And  their  whole  chest  above  the  tide  appear. 

Many  I  knew  whom  there  I  chanced  to  meet ; 

And  the  ditch  dwindled  more  and  more  away, 

Until  it  scarcely  covered  o'er  the  feet : 

Here  o'er  the  bloody  brook  our  passage  lay. 

"  As  on  this  side,"  the  Centaur  said,  "  thou  see'st, 
More  and  more  shallow  still  the  streamlet  grows, 
So  upon  this  its  depth  is  aye  increased. 
Till  back  to  where  the  tyrants  groan  it  flows. 


CANTO   THE   THIRTEENTH.  65 

There  divine  Justice  punishes  the  Kings 
Pyrrhus  and  Attila,  earth's  ancient  scourge ; 
And  Sextus  too ;  nay,  tears  eternal  wrings 
(By  the  sharp  anguish  of  this  boiling  surge), 
Eternal  tears  from  Rinier  Pazzo's  eyes. 
And  Rinier  da  Corneto,  who  of  yore 
Filled  all  the  highways  with  their  butcheries." 
Here  he  turned  back,  and  crossed  the  ford  once 
more. 


CANTO  THE  THIRTEENTH. 

Ere  Nessus  had  regained  the  other  shore, 

We  reached  a  desolate  untrodden  wood : 

No  verdant  leaves,  but  inky  black  it  bore ; 

No  smooth  straight  branches,  but  all  gnarled  and 

rude; 
No  fruit  hung  there,  but  only  poisonous  thorn. 
The  savage  beasts,  that,  in  the  wilderness 
Betwixt  Corneto  and  the  Cecina,  scorn 
The  farms  and  fields,  less  rough  a  brake  possess. 
Amid  the  branches  of  this  dismal  grove. 
Their  loathsome  nests  the  brutal  Harpies  build, 
Who  from  the  Strophades  the  Trojans  drove 
With  woeful  auguries  erelong  fulfilled. 
Huge  wings  they  have,  men's  faces,  human  throats. 
Feet  armed  with  claws,  vast  bellies  clothed  with 

plumes : 


66  HELL. 

From  those  strange  trees  they  pour  their  doleful 

notes. 
"  Now,  ere  thou  further  penetrate  these  glooms," 
Said  my  good  Master,  "  thou  shouldst  understand 
Thou  'rt  in  the  second  circlet,  and  shalt  be. 
Until  thou  com'st  upon  the  horrid  sand. 
Give  good  heed  then  :  more  wonders  thou  shalt  see, 
Yea,  to  confirm  all  stories  I  have  told." 
On  every  side  I  heard  heart-rending  cries, 
But  not  a  person  could  I  there  behold  : 
Wherefore  I  stopped,  bewildered  with  surprise. 
He  seemed  to  guess  I  thought  the  voices  came 
From  some  that  hiding  in  the  thicket  lay : 
Therefore  my  Leader  said :  "  If  thou  but  maim 
One  of  these  plants,  yea,  pluck  a  branch  away, 
Then  shall  thy  judgment  be  more  just  than  now." 
Therefore  my  hand  I  slightly  forward  reached ; 
And  while  I  wrenched  away  a  little  bough 
From    a   huge    trunk,   "  Why    mangle    me  ? "    it 

screeched. 
Then,  as  the  dingy  tears  began  to  start, 
"  Why  dost  thou  tear  me  ?  "  shrieked  the  trunk 

again, 
"  Hast  thou  no  touch  of  pity  in  thy  heart? 
We  that  now  here  are  planted,  once  were  men ; 
But,   were   we   serpents'    souls,  thy   hand    might 

shame 
To  have  no  more  compassion  on  our  woes !  " 


CANTO   THE   THIRTEENTH,  67 

Like  a  green  log,  that  hisses  in  the  flame, 
Groaning  at  one  end,  as  the  other  glows, 
Even  as  the  wind  comes  sputtering  forth,  I  say. 
Thus  oozed  together  from  the  splintered  wood 
Both  words  and  blood.    I  dropped  the  broken  spray, 
And,  like  a  coward,  faint  and  trembling  stood. 

"  O  injured  spirit !  "  thus  replied  my  Sage, 
"  Could  but  this  faithless  mortal  have  believed 
What  he  hath  read  in  my  poetic  page. 
He  had  not  thus  thy  groaning  fibres  grieved. 
I  bade  him,  since  thy  fate  belief  transcends, 
Even  though  it  pained  myself,  thy  branches  tear ; 
That  he  on  earth  may  make  thee  some  amends. 
Who  wast  thou  ?  Tell !    He  will  requite  thee  there  : 
Through   him   on    high    thy    fame   shall    freshly 

shine." 
The  trunk  replied  :  "  Thy  pleasant  words  compel, 
As  by  a  charm,  my  voice  to  answer  thine. 
Oh,  let  me  yield  a  little  to  the  spell ! 

"  Know,  I  am  he  that  once  of  Frederic's  heart 
Held  the  two  keys,  and  turned  them  as  I  chose, 
Opening  and  shutting  it  with  such  sweet  art, 
He  to  none  else  his  secrets  would  disclose. 
In  my  high  office  with  such  zeal  I  burned 
That  my  life's  blood  I  made  a  sacrifice  ; 
But  ah !  the  strumpet,  she  who  never  turned 


68  HELL. 

From  Caesar's  household  her  vohiptuous  eyes, 
Envy,  the  common  death  and  vice  of  courts, 
Kmdled  with  hate  of  me  the  hearts  of  all. 
Who  fired  the  Emperor  so  with  false  reports 
That  my  glad  honors  turned  to  sorrow's  gall. 
Therefore  my  mind,  resolving  in  disgmst 
By  death  to  'scape  disgrace  and  slander  there, 
Made  me,  a  just  man,  to  myseK  unjust. 
But,  by  this  thorn-tree's  new-grown  roots,  I  swear 
Never  did  I  mine  honored  lord  deceive : 
Should  either  of  you  from  this  world  below 
Return  to  earth,  let  him  my  fame  retrieve. 
Which  mangled  lies  beneath  fell  envy's  blow." 

The  Poet  waited  for  a  while,  and  then 

Said :  "  Lose  no  time,  smce  he  hath  ended  now : 

Wouldst  thou  hear  further,  question  him  again." 

"  Rather,"  I  answered  him,  "  continue  thou. 

Ask  what  thou  think' st  would  satisfy  me  most ; 

But  I  for  very  pity  must  forbear." 

Then  Virgil  thus :  "  O  thou  imprisoned  ghost ! 

So  may  this  mortal  freely  grant  thy  prayer. 

As  thou  to  him  shalt  furthermore  unfold 

How  in  these  knots  the  tortured  soul  is  bound ; 

And  if  by  any,  from  the  cruel  hold 

Of  these  gnarled  limbs,  escape  is  ever  found." 

Hereat  the  trunk  heaved  forth  a  heavy  sigh ; 

And  soon  these  words  articulate  became : 


CANTO    THE   THIRTEENTH.  69 

"  To  your  inquiry  take  this  brief  reply. 
Wlien  the  mad  soul  tears  off  its  mortal  frame, 
To  the  seventh  gulf  by  Minos  it  is  sped, 
And  in  this  wood  where'er  by  fortune  cast, 
Sprouts  like  a  barley-corn,  and  rears  its  head, 
Grown  to  a  sapling  and  wild  plant  at  last. 
The  Harpies  then,  which  on  its  foliage  prey. 
Cause  it  to  groan,  and  give  its  groans  escape : 
We  shall  return,  like  others,  for  our  clay. 
But  none  shall  clothe  him  with  his  former  shape. 
Man  ought  to  lose  what  he  away  hath  flung : 
Hither  our  bodies  we  must  drag  to  be 
Around  this  melancholy  forest  hung. 
Each  on  his  guilty  spirit's  thorny  tree." 

We  waited,  thinking  he  had  spoken  more. 
When,  as  a  hunter  from  his  ambush  sees 
The  hunt  rush  headlong  by,  and  frantic  boar. 
And  hears  the  noisy  hounds  and  crashing  trees. 
Thus,  at  a  sudden  sound,  we  stood  aghast ; 
As  lo  !  two  wretches  from  the  left  there  drove, 
Shattering  the  impeding  branches  as  they  passed. 
Bleeding  and  scratched   and  naked,  through  the 

grove. 
"  Death  ! "    cried   the   foremost,   "  to   the   rescue  ! 

fly!" 

The  other,  vexed  that  he  less  fleetly  went. 
Cried  :  "  Lano !  not  so  swiftly  didst  thou  ply 


70  HELL. 

Those  legs  of  thine  at  Tojipo's  tournament." 
Then,  as  if  wanting  wind,  he  stopped,  and  formed 
A  single  group  there  with  a  stunted  plant ; 
While  close  behind  them  all  the  forest  swarmed 
With  grim  black  bitches,  following  fierce  and  gaunt. 
Like   greyhounds   rushing   from    the    leash,    they 

darted. 
And  fastening  on  the  wretch  who  lurking  lay. 
Piecemeal  his  limbs  with  greedy  fangs  they  j^arted, 
And  bore  the  quivering  fragments  far  away. 

Then  did  mine  Escort  lead  me  toward  the  spot 
Where  through  its  wounds  the  bramble  vainly  cried : 
"  O  Jacopo  da  Sant'  Andrea !  what 
Avails  it  thee  behind  my  stem  to  hide  ? 
Must  I  thy  guilty  life's  just  doom  partake  ?  " 
Hereat  my  Lord,  pausing  the  trunk  before, 
Said :  "  Who  art  thou,  from  whom  at  many  a  break 
Such  bitter  words  come  gushing  with  thy  gore  ?  " 
He  thus  :  "  Ye  spirits  !  who  have  come  to  see 
The  shameful  wreck  which  thus  my  leaves  hath 

shred, 
Restore  them  to  the  foot  of  my  sad  tree. 
Know,  in  that  city  I  was  born  and  bred 
Which  for  the  Baptist  her  first  patron  lost, 
Mars  ;  who  for  that  shall  work  her  every  ill ! 
And  well  for  her,  where  Arno's  wave  is  crossed. 
Some  relic  of  him  is  remaining  still, 


CANTO   THE  FOURTEENTH.  71 

Or  else  the  citizens,  who  reared  again 
The  walls  which  Attila  in  ashes  laid, 
Would  have  expended  all  their  toil  in  vain. 
Of  mine  own  roof -tree  I  my  gibbet  made." 


CANTO  THE   FOURTEENTH. 

My  native  land's  dear  memory  had  such  force 
That  the  strewn  leaves  I  gathered  from  the  ground, 
For  him  whom  speaking  now  had  rendered  hoarse. 
Then  came  we  to  the  second  circlet's  bound, 
JW^here  it  is  parted  from  the  third ;  and  here 
Justice  a  horrid  vengeance  hath  contrived 
First,  then,  to  manifest  these  wonders  clear, 
I  say  beside  a  sand-plain  we  arrived. 
On  whose  waste  bed  no  living  stem  there  grows, 
Being  encompassed  by  the  woeful  wood. 
As  round  the  wood  the  ditch  of  misery  flows : 
Here,  on  its  very  verge,  we  pausing  stood. 
The  soil  was  only  one  thick  arid  sand ; 
Even  like  the  shore  by  Cato's  footsteps  trod, 
Such  was  the  semblance  of  this  wretched  land. 
O  thou  dread  vengeance  of  the  Eternal  God ! 
How  shouldst  thou  thrill  each  mortal's  heart  with 

awe. 
Who   reads   what   anguish   there    appalled    mine 

eyes! 


72  HELL. 

Full  many  a  herd  of  naked  ghosts  I  saw, 
All  howling  hideously  most  piteous  cries. 
To  these  there  seemed  a  various  doom  allotted ; 
For  some  supine  were  stretched  upon  the  ground, 
Others  upon  their  haunches  crouched  and  squatted, 
And  some  incessantly  went  round  and  round. 
The  latter  formed  more  numerous  a  crowd 
Than  those  who  down  in  agony  had  lain ; 
But  these  were  in  their  outcries  far  most  loud. 
O'er  all  the  sand  slow  fell  a  burning  rain ; 
Wide-floating  flakes  of  fire,  resembling  snow 
Among  the  Alps,  when  hushed  is  every  flaw. 
As  Alexander,  where  the  sunbeams  glow 
Hottest  in  India,  o'er  his  army  saw 
From  heaven  to  earth  the  living  cinders  leap, 
And  bade  his  soldiers  trample  on  the  ground. 
Lest,  if  allowed  to  gather  in  a  heap. 
To  quench  them  might  more  difficult  be  found ; 
So  fell  the  eternal  fire,  which,  as  it  lighted. 
To  double  their  distress,  inflamed  the  sands. 
Like  tinder  by  the  stricken  steel  ignited : 
Restless  the  motion  was  of  wretched  hands ! 
This  way  and  that,  as  still  they  freslily  fell. 
The  scorching  torments  fast  aside  they  brushed ; 
And  I :  "  O  Master !  thou  whose  power  could  quell 
All  save  the  stubborn  fiends  who  'gainst  us  rushed 
(Those  that  opposed  our  entrance  at  the  gate), 
Say,  who  is  yonder  prostrate  giant  grim, 


CANTO   THE  FOURTEENTH.  73 

Writhing  in  scorn  there  of  his  fiery  fate, 

As  though  the  tempest  served  to  harden  him? " 

He  then  himseK  exclaimed,  on  hearing  me 

Concerning  him  of  my  good  Guide  inquire  : 

"  What  once  I  was,  continue  I  to  be 

In  death  as  life.     Though  Jove  his  workman  tire. 

From  whom  he  snatched  the  bitter  bolt  he  threw 

At  me  upon  my  final  day  of  doom  ; 

Though,  one  by  one,  he  tire  the  others  too. 

At  the  black  furnace  down  in  Etna's  womb, 

Crying,  as  erst  he  did  at  Plilegra's  fight : 

'  Help  me,  good  Vulcan !  help  me,  I  entreat  1 ' 

Yea,  though  he  blast  me  with  his  fiercest  might. 

Exult  he  may,  but  not  in  my  defeat !  " 

My  Leader  hereupon  more  loudly  spake 

Than  ever  I  had  heard  his  voice  before : 

"  O  Capaneus !  that  pride  of  thine  doth  make, 

That  pride  unquenchable,  thy  torment  more. 

No  martyrdom  save  thine  own  fury,  none. 

Could  fitly  match  thy  madness  or  thy  crime." 

Then  unto  me  more  mildly  :  "  That  was  one 

Of  the  seven  kings  at  Thebes  i'  the  olden  time. 

He  had,  and  still  he  seemeth  to  retain. 

Small  reverence  for  his  God,  even  here  in  hell ; 

But,  as  I  said,  that  frenzy  of  disdain 

Torments  him  yet,  his  breast  becoming  well. 


74  HELL. 

"  But  follow  now  beliind  me  ;  take  good  heed 
Lest  in  the  burning  sand  thy  feet  thou  set, 
And  ever  close  beside  the  wood  proceed." 
So,  silently  we  reached  a  streamlet's  jet, 
Down  through  the  sand,  forth  from  the  forest  rush- 
ing, 
Whose  crimson  still  I  shudder  to  describe. 
Even  like  the  brook  from  Bulicame  gushing. 
Which  the  frail  women  share  among  their  tribe, 
So  glided  this  :  its  pendent  banks,  its  bed. 
And,  on  each  hand,  its  margins,  were  of  stone  : 
So  I  perceived  thereby  our  passage  led. 
"  Of  all  the  wonders  I  to  thee  have  shown 
Since  first  we  passed  the  gate  whose  gloomy  sill 
Mortal  was  ne'er  forbidden  to  pass  o'er. 
Naught  worthier  notice  than  this  present  rill 
Has  been  presented  to  thine  eyes  before ; 
For  over  that  the  cinders  all  expire." 
So  spake  my  Leader  ;  wherefore  I  besought 
That,  having  made  me  greedy  with  desire, 
He  might  tell  all  I  hungered  to  be  taught. 

"  In  the  mid-ocean  spreads  a  dreary  waste," 

He  answered  thus,  —  "a  barren  land,  called  Crete, 

Under  whose  king  the  antique  world  lived  chaste : 

Therein  Mount  Ida  lifts  its  lofty  seat. 

Once  in  green  gladness,  full  of  springs,  it  rose  ; 

Now  aU  deserted,  as  a  thing  outworn : 


CANTO    THE  FOURTEENTH.  75 

This  for  a  faithful  cradle  Rhea  chose, 

Where  she  might  hide  her  little  Jove,  new-born. 

So  with  wild  shouts  she  drowned  his  infant  cries. 

Here  hath  a  huge  old  form  his  mountain-home ; 

His  back  towards  Damiata  turned,  his  eyes, 

As  in  a  mirror,  looking  straight  at  Rome. 

His  head  of  fine  gold  is  a  shapen  mass ; 

Of  purest  silver  are  his  arms  and  breast ; 

Thence  to  the  middle  he  is  made  of  brass ; 

Thence  downward,  of  choice  iron  all  the  rest. 

Save  the  right  foot,  which,  rather  than  the  left, 

He  stands  erect  on ;  that  is  baked  of  clay  ; 

And  every  part,  except  the  gold,  is  cleft 

With  a  deep  flaw,  distilling  tears  for  aye. 

These  gathering  there,  the  stream  a  passage  picks 

Through  the  dark  grot,  and  down  this  valley  leaps ; 

Then,  forming  first  the  Acheron  and  Styx 

And  Plilegethon,  through  this  close  conduit  creeps  : 

Thus  ever  sinking,  till  they  can  no  more, 

The  weary  waters  in  Cocytus  end. 

But  of  that  famous  fen  I  say  no  more ; 

Thyself  shalt  witness  it  when  we  descend." 

"  If  then,"  I  answered,  "  as  thy  words  assert. 
This  rill  a  passage  from  our  world  hath  found. 
Why  first  appears  it  on  this  sandy  skirt  ?  " 
"  Thou  know'st,"  he  answered,  "  the  abyss  is  roimd ; 
And  though  so  far  thou  to  the  left  hast  strayed, 


76  HELL. 

Seeking  the  botuoni  of  tlie  infernal  spheres, 
Not  yet  the  circuit  hast  thou  wholly  made ; 
So  marvel  not  if  something  new  appears." 
Then  I :  "  O  Master  !  where  is  Lethe's  tide  ? 
Where  Phlegethon  ?     Thou  tellest  naught  of  one, 
And  say'st  the  other  from  that  rain  doth  glide." 
Said  he :  "  Thy  questions  please  me  all,  my  son ; 
And  yet  the  bubbling  of  that  crimson  wave 
Might  have  solved  one :  and  Lethe  thou  shalt  see 
Beyond  this  fosse,  where  spirits  go  to  lave. 
When  by  repentance  from  their  crimes  set  free. 
But  from  the  wood  't  is  tune  we  now  retire : 
Follow !  and  close  behind  my  footsteps  tread ; 
The  banks  afford  a  road  secure  from  fire  : 
Over  them,  too,  the  vaporous  flame  is  dead." 


CANTO  THE  FIFTEENTH. 

One  of  that  streamlet's  firm  and  stony  flanks 
Now  forms  our  path ;  its  gathering  fumes  o'ershade, 
And  shield  from  fire,  the  water  and  its  banks. 
Such  are  the  ramparts  by  the  Flemings  made, 
'Twixt  Bruges  and  Cadsand,  to  repel  the  tide 
Whose  floods   they  fear   their   marshy  land  may 

drown ; 
Or  as  the  dikes  that  by  the  Brenta  side 
The  Paduans  raise  to  fence  each  tower  and  town, 


CANTO   THE  FIFTEENTH.  11 

Ere  Cliiarentana's  top  begins  to  warm : 
Such,  though  less  large  and  lofty  they  appeared. 
Was  of  these  solid  banks  the  general  form, 
Whatever  master-hand  the  fabrics  reared. 

Already  so  far  we  had  left  the  wood 

That,  had  I  turned  about  me,  looking  back, 

I  could  not  have  descried  it  whence  I  stood; 

When,  lo  !  there  met  us,  close  beside  our  track, 

A  troop  of  spirits.     Each  amid  the  band 

Eyed  us,  as  men  at  eve  a  passer-by 

'Neath  a  new  moon ;  as  closely  us  they  scanned 

As  an  old  tailor  doth  his  needle's  eye. 

One  recognized  me,  of  this  tribe  that  gazed. 

And  cried,  the  while  he  caught  me  by  the  gown  : 

"  What  wonder  's  this  ?  "     So  when  his  arm  he 

raised, 
On  his  baked  face  I  looked  intently  down. 
Thus  his  burnt  visage  could  not  quite  prevent 
His  form  from  coming  to  my  memory  clear ; 
And  towards  his  features  as  my  head  I  bent, 
I  answered :  "  Ser  Brunetto,  are  you  here  ?  " 

"O  my  dear  son  !  be  not  displeased,"  said  he, 
"  If  old  Brunetto  from  his  train  depart, 
And  travel  back  a  little  way  with  thee." 
"  That  I  entreat,"  said  I,  "  with  all  my  heart : 
Nay,  I  '11  sit  with  you,  if  he  there  advise 


78  HELL. 

With  wliom  I  go."  —  "  Son,  whoso  of  our  band 

Stops  but  one  instant,  for  a  century  lies 

Beat  by  this  fire,  unsheltered  and  unfanned. 

Therefore  move  onward  :  to  thy  garment's  hem 

I  will  but  come,  then  troop  again  with  those 

My  sad  companions,  whom  their  crimes  condemn 

To  go  bemoaning  their  eternal  woes." 

I,  since  I  did  not  from  our  pathway  dare 

Descend  to  him,  inclined  my  drooping  head, 

Like  one  that  walks  with  reverential  air. 

Then  he :  "  What  destiny  or  chance  hath  led 

Thee  hither,  ere  thy  final  day,  to  rove  ? 

And  who  is  this  that  marshals  thee  the  way  ?  " 

"  In  the  serene  existence  there  above," 

I  answered,  "  in  a  vale,  I  went  astray. 

'T  was  ere  the  fullness  of  mine  age ;  I  turned 

But  yester  morn  my  back  upon  the  glen ; 

Returning  so,  this  Being  I  discerned 

Who  by  this  road  conducts  me  home  again." 

Then  he :  "If  thou  thy  ruling  star  pursue, 
Thou  shalt  not  fail  a  glorious  port  to  win, 
Else  was  my  guess  in  life's  fair  scene  untrue ; 
And  if  my  death  had  not  so  early  been, 
I,  seeing  thee  so  blest  by  heavenly  grace, 
Thy  lofty  labor  had  myself  befriended : 
But  that  ungratefid  and  malignant  race 
Who  from  Fiesole  of  yore  descended 


CANTO    THE  FIFTEENTH.  7S 

(Their  flinty  hearts  retaining  somewhat  still 
Of  that  rough  mount)  thy  virtue  shall  detest ; 
Good  reason  why :  the  dulcet  fig  but  ill 
Can  come  to  fruit  by  acrid  sorbs  oppressed. 
Proud  envious  people,  greedy  still  of  gain ! 
Justly  the  old  world's  adage  calls  them  blind : 
Of  their  vile  customs  wash  thou  off  the  stain ; 
For  thee  great  glory  has  thy  fate  designed. 
So  shall  each  party  hunger  after  thee  ; 
But  far  beyond  the  goat  shall  be  the  herb  : 
On  their  own  selves  these  beasts  of  Fesulse 
May  feed,  but  ne'er  the  nobler  plant  disturb, 
If  yet  a  single  stem  their  dunghill  bear, 
In  whom  the  sacred  seed  appears  anew 
Of  those  old  Romans  who  yet  lingered  there, 
When  of  such  wickedness  the  nest  it  grew." 

"  Might  aU  my  wish,"  I  answered  him,  "  be  granted. 
Not  yet  hadst  thou  been  banished  human  kind, 
Since  the  dear  image  in  my  heart  implanted, 
Of  thee,  good  father,  still  pervades  my  mind. 
When  in  the  world,  thou  taught'st  me,  hour  by  hour, 
How  man  might  make  eternity  his  own ; 
And  evermore,  while  life  permits  the  power. 
My  gratitude  shall  in  my  song  be  shown. 
Touching  my  fate,  whatever  you  foretell 
I  keep  recorded  with  another  speech. 
For  a  blest  maid,  who  will  conceive  and  well 


80  HELL. 

Explain  its  meaning,  if  her  side  I  reach. 
Only  to  you  be  this  resolve  declared 
(So  from  my  conscience  be  no  blame  incurred)  : 
Whatever  fortune  wills,  I  stand  prepared  ; 
Mine  ears  ere  now  have  such  forewarnings  heard. 
Whirl  fortune,  then,  her  wheel  as  likes  her  best. 
And  let  the  husbandman  his  mattock  ply." 
My  Master,  as  my  thought  I  thus  expressed. 
Turned  to  his  right,  and  fixed  on  me  his  eye : 
''  He  listeneth  well  who  heedeth  what  he  hears." 
Thus  Virgil :  I,  continuing  to  confer 
With  Ser  Brunetto,  asked,  of  his  compeers 
Who  the  most  noted  and  important  were. 

"  To  know  of  some,"  he  answered,  "  it  is  well ; 
But  silence  best  the  others  will  beseem ; 
Time  were  not  long  enough  of  each  to  tell. 
Yet  know  that  all  were  clerks  of  great  esteem, 
Great  scholars  all,  of  whom  fame  loudly  talks ; 
And  aU  on  earth  one  filthy  sin  defiled. 
There  with  his  hapless  herd,  lo  !  Priscian  walks  ; 
Francesco,  too,  is  there,  d'  Accorso  styled ; 
Yea,  on  a  scab  so  loathsome  wouldst  thou  look, 
Him  thou  mightst  witness,  whom  in  sin  grown  rani: 
The  Servants'  Servant  from  the  Arno  took 
To  hide  away  on  Bacchiglione's  bank  : 
There  he  was  fain  his  iU-used  nerves  to  leave. 
More  I  would  speak  of,  but  must  needs  refrain, 


CANTO    THE   SIXTEENTH.  81 

Nor  farther  must  I  walk  ;  for  I  perceive 
New  smoke  arising  on  the  sandy  plain. 
Some  other  tribe  this  way  their  footsteps  bend, 
From  whose  companionship  I  must  forbear. 
To  you,  my  son,  my  Treasure  I  commend, 
Wherein  I  yet  survive :  't  is  all  my  prayer." 
Here,  like  a  racer  o'er  Verona's  plain 
For  the  green  mantle,  back  again  he  ran, 
In  speed  resembling,  as  he  flew  amain, 
The  winning,  rather  than  the  losing  man. 


CANTO  THE   SIXTEENTH. 

Now  where  I  stood  I  heard  the  rumbling  sound, 

Like  swarms  of  bees  that  round  their  beehives  hum, 

Of  water  falling  to  the  other  round  : 

When  towards  us  I  beheld  three  spirits  come. 

Kunning,  they  sped  together  from  a  band 

Which   passed   beneath   that   martyrdom's  rough 

showers. 
And  each  one  shouted :  "  Ho,  thou  stranger,  stand ! 
Whose  dress  betrays  that  wicked  land  of  ours." 
Ah  me !  upon  their  limbs  what  dreadful  burns. 
What  scars,  both  old  and  recent,  shocked  mine  eye ! 
Even  yet  my  heart  the  mere  remembrance  yearns. 
And  as  my  Teacher  listened  to  their  cry, 
"  Wait,"  whispered  he,  turning  towards  me  his  face ; 


82  HELL. 

"  One  should  use  courtesy  to  such  as  they. 
But  for  the  fearful  nature  of  the  place, 
Darting  this  fiery  tempest,  I  might  say 
This  eager  haste  less  suited  them  than  thee." 
Then,  as  we  halted,  they  once  more  began 
Their  ancient  wail ;  and  coming  close,  aU  three, 
With  restless  trot,  round  in  a  circuit  ran. 
As  champions,  oiled  and  naked  for  the  fight, 
Are  wont  to  watch  their  hold  and  vantage  first, 
Ere  in  the  deadly  struggle  they  unite. 
Thus  each  at  me  his  visage  aimed  reversed. 
So  foot  and  face  went  stiU  in  counterwise. 

"And   if,"  said    one,   "our   aspect,  parched    and 

brown. 
And  these  tormenting  sands,  make  thee  despise 
Us  and  our  prayers,  yet  reverence  our  renown  ; 
And  tell  us,  thou  whose  living  feet  are  led 
Safely  through   Hell,  who  art  thou?     Speak  thy 

name. 
He,  on  whose  footsteps  thou  perceiv'st  I  tread. 
Of  nobler  lineage  than  thou  thinkest,  came. 
Yes !  he  so  naked,  even  of  skin  bereaved, 
Was  good  Gualdrada's  grandson,  even  such : 
Great  Guidoguerra,  who  in  life  achieved 
Much  with  his  sword,  and  with  his  wisdom  much. 
And  this,  who  next  me  walks  the  dreadful  sand, 
Is  one  whose  title  in  the  upper  air 


CANTO    THE  SIXTEENTH.  83 

Should  welcome  be  :  Tegghiaio  Aldobrand ! 
And  I,  their  bitter  agonies  who  share, 
Was  Rusticucci :  chiefly  let  the  blame 
Light  on  my  savage  wife  for  all  my  woe !  " 
Hereat,  had  I  been  sheltered  from  the  flame, 
Among  them  straight  I  would  bave  leaped  below. 
My  Teacher,  too,  I  think,  had  suffered  this ; 
But  dread  of  scorching  in  that  fiery  place 
Conquered  my  wish,  and  forced  me  to  dismiss 
My  greedy  thirst  to  give  them  one  embrace. 

Then  I  began :  "  Soon  as  my  Seignior  here. 
Uttered  those  words  from  which  I  rightly  guessed 
That  such  a  race  as  you  were  drawing  near. 
Grief  at  your  fate,  not  scorn,  my  soul  possessed ; 
And  for  long  years  that  sorrow  shall  not  perish. 
I  am  your  countryman,  and  evermore 
Have  loved  your  venerable  names  to  cherish, 
And  with  affection  conned  your  actions  o'er. 
Leaving  the  gall,  I  seek  the  pleasant  fruit 
Promised  to  me  by  this  my  truthful  Guide  ; 
But  to  the  centre  first  must  sink  my  foot." 
"  So  may  thy  spirit  lead  thy  limbs !  "  he  cried, 
"  So  shine  thy  fame,  too,  after  thee  !  as  thou 
Shalt  answer  this  :  Within  our  city's  wall 
Dwells  courtesy  as  once,  and  valor  now? 
Or  are  those  virtues  cast  aside  by  all  ? 
For  William  Borsiere,  he  who  herds 


84  HELL. 

(A  recent  comer  here)  in  yonder  crowd, 
Torments  us  greatly  with  his  bitter  words." 
Hereat  I  raised  my  face,  and  cried  aloud : 
"  O  upstart  race  !  the  sudden  growth  of  gain 
Hath  bred  such  inequality  in  thee. 
Such  pride,  O  Florence  !    well  mayst  thou  com- 
plain.'*^ 
Receiving  which  for  answer,  all  the  three 
Looked  at  each  other  with  such  conscious  eyes 
As  men  who  hear  truth  told,  then  answered  thus ; 
"  O  happy  thou,  might  always  thy  replies 
Cost  thee  no  more  than  this  free  speech  to  us ! 
And  shouldst  thou  ever  from  this  dismal  air 
Return  to  view  the  lovely  stars  again. 
When  thou  shalt  say  with  pleasure,  '  I  was  there,' 
Recall  our  names,  and  speak  of  us  to  men." 
The  circle  then  immediately  was  broken ; 
Their  nimble  legs    seemed  wings,  so    swift   they 

darted  : 
The  word  Amen  could  scarcely  have  been  spoken 
So  quick  as  from  my  vision  they  departed. 

My  Master  now  thought  best  to  journey  on  : 
I  followed ;  and  the  murmur  grew  so  near 
Of  the  cascade  that,  ere  we  far  had  gone, 
Even  our  own  voices  we  could  hardly  hear. 
Like  to  that  rill,  in  channel  of  its  own. 
The  first  from  Monte  Veso,  flowing  east, 


CANTO   THE  SIXTEENTH.  85 

Down  the  left  coast  of  Apennine,  and  known 
Above  as  Acquacheta  ;  till  increased, 
The  waters  bed  themselves  in  level  shores, 
And  by  Forli  that  name  no  longer  keep. 
As  there  above  Saint  Benedict  it  roars, 
Bounding,  at  one  fall,  down  an  Alpine  steep. 
Where  for  a  thousand  might  have  been  supply ; 
Thus  down  a  rugged  precipice  we  found 
That  dingy  torrent  rushing  from  on  high. 
Palsying  our  ears  with  its  perpetual  sound. 

I  had  a  cord  about  my  body  tied. 
Wherewith  I  formerly  had  thought  to  noose 
The  Leopard  shining  in  the  dappled  hide, 
Which  thus  my  Guide  commanded  me  to  use  : 
First  having  freed  me  from  this  girdle  quite, 
I  reached  it,  gathered  in  a  coil,  to  him ; 
Then  he,  a  little  veering  towards  the  right. 
Cast  it  a  certain  distance  from  the  brim 
Of  the  rough  rock,  adown  the  steep  abyss. 
Some  wonder  now,  methought,  will  soon  reply 
Unto  a  signal  new  and  strange  as  this. 
Which  thus  my  Master  seconds  with  his  eye. 
Ah,  with  what  caution  men  should  aye  proceed 
With  those  who  look  not  merely  at  men's  works, 
But  with  their  intellectual  vision  read 
Each  hidden  thought  which  in  the  bosom  lurks ! 
Here  Virgil  spake :  "  Full  quickly  from  below 


86  HELL. 

That  which  I  watch  for  and  thy  fancy  dreams 
Will  to  thy  wandering  sight  its  figure  show." 
From  uttering  truth  which  like  a  falsehood  seems, 
The  lip  of  man  should  evermore  forbear, 
Lest  he  be  shamed,  though  innocent  of  wrong : 
But  here  I  must  speak  boldly ;  and  I  swear 
To  thee,  O  reader,  by  this  sacred  song, 
So  may  the  fame  thereof  for  aye  endure ! 
That  such  a  figure  swimming  met  my  gaze. 
Up  through  that  thickest  atmosphere  obscure, 
As  might  have  smote  the  bravest  with  amaze. 
So  one  who  dives  to  set  an  anchor  free. 
Grappling  with  some  huge  rock  in  ocean's  bed, 
Or  other  clog  that  lurks  beneath  the  sea, 
Eeturns  with  feet  drawn  in  and  arms  outspread. 


CANTO  THE   SEVENTEENTH. 

"  Behold  the  beast  of  the  sharp  tail,  who  breaks 
Through  arms  and  walls !  who  passeth  mountains, 

yea. 
Foul  with  his  stench  the  whole  creation  makes !  " 
Thus  unto  me  began  my  Guide  to  say. 
And  beckoning  up  the  monster  to  the  brim. 
Nigh  to  the  marble  causeway's  craggy  close. 
Straight  at  the  sign,  fraud's  image  foul  and  grim, 
Both  head  and  bosom,  from  the  gulf  arose ; 


CANTO   THE  SEVENTEENTH.  87 

All  save  his  tail :  he  dragged  not  that  ashore. 
Fair  as  an  honest  man's  appeared  his  face, 
So  smooth  and  gracious  an  outside  he  wore ; 
But  all  the  rest  was  of  the  serpent  race. 
Two  branching  limbs  he  had,  with  shaggy  hair 
From  the  paws  even  to  the  armpits  decked : 
His  breast,  his  back,  and  both  flanks  everywhere 
With  painted  knots  and  little  rings  were  specked. 
Never  with  more  variety  of  shade, 
By  any  Tartar  artisans  or  Turks, 
Was  web  of  cloth  inwoven  or  o'erlaid, 
Nor  with  more  hues  Arachne  wove  her  works. 
As  barges  oft  lie  drawn  upon  the  strand, 
Partly  ashore  and  partly  in  the  tide ; 
And  even  as  in  the  greedy  German's  land, 
The  beaver,  ambushing  for  prey,  doth  hide  ; 
Such  was  that  vilest  brute's  insidious  mode. 
While  on  the  sand-waste's  rocky  rim  he  clung. 
In  the  void  chasm  his  wriggling  tail  he  showed. 
As  up  the  envenomed,  forked  point  he  swung. 
Which,  as  in  scorpions,  armed  its  tapering  end. 
And  thus  my  Guide  :  "  Towards  yon  accursed  beast 
Our  pathway  now  must  for  a  little  bend. 
Where  on  the  brink  he  crouches,  as  thou  seest." 

So  to  the  right,  descending  from  the  ledge 
More  fairly  to  avoid  the  sand  and  flame, 
We  took  ten  paces  on  the  abyss's  edge, 


88  HELL. 

And  closer  still  to  that  dread  creature  came. 

Now,  further  on  that  desert,  I  discern, 

Nigh  to  the  void,  some  seated  on  the  ground ; 

And  here  my  Lord :  "  That  thou  mayst  fully  learn 

The  nature  and  condition  of  this  round. 

Go  forward  there,  and  witness  their  distress ; 

But  let  thy  parley  with  them  be  but  short : 

Till  thy  return,  this  beast  I  will  address. 

And  ask  for  us  his  shoulder's  strong  support." 

So  farther  still,  upon  the  utmost  bourne 

Of  that  seventh  circle,  all  alone  I  strayed. 

Where  sat  the  wretches  doomed  for  aye  to  mdurn : 

Oh,  how  their  eyes  their  agonies  betrayed ! 

Ever  by  turns  against  the  fiery  sleet 

And  the  hot  sand,  their  swift  hands  they  employed. 

As  dogs  in  summer  ply  both  jaws  and  feet. 

By  flies  or  hornets  or  by  fleas  annoyed. 

Then,  as  on  certain  forms  I  fixed  mine  eyes, 
On  whom  the  torment  of  that  fire  was  flung, 
I  marked,  although  I  none  could  recognize. 
That  from  the  neck  of  each  a  pouch  was  hung. 
Each  purse  a  blazon  bore  and  special  hue. 
Which   seemed   as  't  were  their  gloating  gaze   to 

nurse  ; 
And,  as  I  came  among  them,  met  my  view 
An  azure  emblem  on  a  yellow  purse  : 
A  lion's  face  and  bearing  it  displayed  ; 


CANTO   THE  SEVENTEENTH.  89 

And  onward  still  as  rolled  mine  orb  of  sight, 

Kedder  than  blood  another  I  surveyed, 

Which  bore  a  goose,  than  whitest  curd  more  white. 

And  one,  whose  emblem  was  a  teeming  sow 

Emblazoned  azure  on  an  argent  pouch, 

Cried  :  "In  this  under-pit  what  seekest  thou ? 

Begone  !  yet  first  attend  what  I  avouch  : 

Know  thou,  since  life  remaineth  still  to  thee, 

Vitaliano,  once  my  neighbor  nigh. 

Shall  sit  here  shortly  on  the  left  of  me. 

Among  these  Florentines,  a  Paduan,  I ; 

And  oftentimes  they  thunder  in  mine  ear  : 

'  Soon  with  his  wallet  and  three  goats  displayed 

May  he  approach,  our  sovereign  cavalier ! '  " 

Grimaces  then  with  mouth  and  tongue  he  made, 

Licking  his  nostril,  as  an  ox  is  wont ; 

And  I  departed  from  the  weary  throng, 

Fearful  by  more  delaying  to  affront 

Him  who  had  warned  me  not  to  linger  long. 

I  found  my  Leader  there  already  planted 

Fast  on  the  flank  of  that  detested  brute ; 

And  thus  he  said  :  "  Be  strong  now,  and  undaunted  ! 

Such  are  the  stairs  that  our  descent  must  suit. 

Mount  thou  in  front ;  myself  will  midway  sit, 

Lest  the  tail  harm  thee."     As  a  mortal,  shook 

By  the  near  visit  of  an  ague's  fit. 

Who  shudders  even  on  the  shade  to  look, 


90  HELL. 

His  nails  already  corpse-like  with  the  cold, 
Such  I  became,  his  dreadful  words  to  hear ; 
Till  shame,  which  makes  a  timid  servant  bold 
Before  liis  good  lord's  frown,  rebuked  my  fear. 

So,  as  he  counseled  me,  I  took  my  place 
On  those  huge  shoulders  ;  and  I  strove  to  say, 
"  Do  thou  but  steady  me  with  thy  embrace," 
But  terror  took  all  power  of  speech  away. 
He  then,  who  many  a  time  and  oft  before, 
On  great  occasion,  helped  me  at  my  need. 
With  his  arm  girdling  me,  my  weight  upbore. 
And  cried  aloud :  "  Now,  Geryon,  proceed  ! 
Make  ample  sweep  and  gradual  descent ; 
On  the  new  burden  which  thou  bearest,  think." 
Like  to  a  vessel  from  its  moorage  went 
That  monster,  backing,  backing,  from  the  brink. 
And  when  he  found  that  he  could  freely  wheel. 
He  turned  about  his  outstretched  tail  to  where 
His  breast  had  been,  moving  it  like  an  eel, 
And  with  his  great  paws  gathered  in  the  air. 

I  doubt  if  Phaethon  more  wild  became 
With  terror,  when  he  let  the  bridle  go, 
And  Heaven's  vault,  kindling,  caught  the  sudden 

flame 
Whereof  the  skies  even  yet  some  token  show  ; 
Or  hapless  Icarus,  when  first  he  felt 


CANTO   THE  SEVENTEENTH.  91 

(The   whilst    his    father    cried,    "  Thou   steer'st 

amiss  /  ") 
The  wax  beginning  from  his  wings  to  melt, 
Than  I,  thus  launched  upon  the  void  abyss. 
Naught  but  the  beast  was  possible  to  view : 
He  slowly,  slowly  wound  in  many  a  curve ; 
Though  only  from  a  wind,  which  upward  blew 
Against  my  face,  his  course  I  could  observe. 
Down  on  the  right,  I  heard  the  whirlpool  seethe, 
Where  splashing  fell  the  horrible  cascade ; 
And,  straining  forth  my  neck  to  gaze  beneath, 
At  the  dread  plunge  I  grew  still  more  afraid. 
Such  groans  I  heard,  and  saw  such  glare  of  fires. 
Thereat  I  shrunk,  all  quivering  with  affright, 
And  marked  his  manner  of  descent,  in  spires. 
Which  until  now  the  darkness  kept  from  sight. 

Now,  on  each  ^ide,  new  horrors  I  survey ; 

And  like  a  hawk  that  scouring  long  the  skies 

Without  discovering  either  lure  or  prey. 

Till,  "  Ha,  thou  'rt  faltering  !  "  the  vexed  falconer 

cries  ; 
As  tired  he  sinks  to  where  he  started  light. 
And  in  a  hundred  whirls  careering  round. 
Perches  disdainfully,  and  full  of  spite. 
Far  from  his  lord,  at  last  upon  the  gromid ; 
So  Geryon,  stooping,  set  us  on  our  feet 
Down  at  the  base  of  that  rude  cliff  abhorred ; 


92  HELL. 

And  straight,  disburthened,  bounded  off  as  fleet 
As  ever  any  arrow  from  a  cord. 


CANTO   THE   EIGHTEENTH. 

Hell  bath  a  region  Malebolge  called, 

All  rock  and  irbn-colored,  lifeeThe  steep 

Wherewith  around  the  wicked  fold  is  walled ; 

A  well  yawns  through  its  centre,  wide  and  deep. 

In  its  due  order  I  shall  speak  of  this  ; 

But  for  that  girdle  which  remains  between 

The  precipice's  foot  and  the  abyss, 

To  part  the  space  ten  trenches  intervene. 

As  where  some  castle  to  defend  from  storm, 

Moats  after  moats  beyond  the  walls  appear, 

Giving  the  land  there  its  peculiar  form, 

Such  was  the  fashion  of  these  hell-pits  here. 

And  in  such  fortresses  as  bridges  cross 

From  the  tower's  threshold  to  the  farther  bank. 

So,    from   the    cliff's   base,    rocks    arched    every 

fosse. 
From  brink  to  brink,  till  in  the  well  they  sank. 
The  great  chasm  cuts  and  gathers  all  at  last : 
And  in  this  realm,  when  Geryon  from  his  back 
Had  shaken  us,  the  Poet  straightway  passed 
To  the  left  hand,  I  following  still  his  track. 

V 


CANTO    THE  EIGHTEENTH.  93 

Now,  on  my  right,  new  miseries  pained  my  view  ; 

Another  kind  of  scourgers  was  employed. 

And  the  first  trench  was  filled  with  torments  new. 

Two  ranks  of  naked  sinners  paced  the  void : 

Towards  ns  advancing  came  the  nearer  band  ; 

The  farther  strode  more  rapidly  along. 

The  way  we  went :  the  Romans  thus  have  planned 

To  regulate  the  passage  of  the  throng 

When,  on  the  year  of  jubilee,  each  train, 

By  reason  of  such  numbers,  keeps  one  side : 

One  towards  the  castle  and  Saint  Peter's  fane 

Pouring,  the  other  towards  the  mount  doth  glide. 

All  o'er  the  dun  rock  scattered  I  could  see 

Demons  with  horns  ;  each  plied  a  mighty  whip. 

Lashing  them  sorely  on  their  backs :  ah  me. 

How  the  first  sting  made  those  poor  sinners  skip  ! 

None  stayed  a  second  nor  a  third,  but  fled. 

And  still  proceeding,  lo  !  amid  the  swarm 

One  I  observed  of  whom  I  quickly  said  : 

"  Mine  eyes  ere  now  have  feasted  on  that  form  !  " 

And  fixed  my  gaze  his  features  to  retrace. 

While  my  dear  Leader  lingered  at  my  side  ; 

Nay,  suffered  me  to  wander  back  a  pace 

Towards  the  flayed  wretch  that  vainly  sought  to 

hide. 
Vainly  he  hung  his  head,  for  I  exclaimed : 
"  Thou  art  Venetico,  although  thine  eyes 
Avoid  my  look  ;  Caccianimico  named  ! 


94  HELL. 

Unless  that  face  thy  actual  seK  belies. 
But  what  has  brought  thee  to  this  bitter  cup  ?  " 
"  To  tell,"  he  answered,  "  I  am  ill  inclined, 
But  must ;  for  thy  clear  accent  conjures  up 
The  dear  old  world's  remembrance  to  my  mind. 
'T  was  I  the  beauteous  Isola  betrayed 
To  the  vile  Marquis,  his  desire  to  please, 
However  else  that  shameful  tale  be  said ; 
Nor  weep  I  here  the  only  Bolognese : 
So  swarms  this  crowded  region  with  our  ranks 
That  fewer  living  tongues  say  '  sipa  '  now 
Betwixt  Savena's  and  the  Reno's  banks. 
Wouldst  be  assured  thereof,  remember  thou 
How  deeply  avarice  in  our  nature  grows." 
While  thus  he  spake  a  demon  drove  him  on 
With  his  fell  whip,  crying,  betwixt  the  blows  : 
"  Pander !     No  women  to  let  here :  begone  !  " 

I  left  the  wretch,  and  now  rejoined  my  Guide : 
Only  a  few  steps  brought  us  where  extended 
One  of  those  rocks  that  jut  from  the  bank-side, 
Which  we  full  nimbly  to  the  right  ascended. 
Up  o'er  the  crag  continuing  thus  our  march. 
We  left  those  everlasting  rounds  of  woe. 
And  reached  the  summit  where  it  forms  an  arch 
For  the  scourged  multitude  to  pass  below. 
"  Stop,"  said  my  Leader :  "  let  this  other  crew 
Of  ill-starred  miscreants  thy  full  vision  strike, 


CANTO   THE  EIGHTEENTH.  95 

Whose  faces  have  not  fairly  met  thy  view, 
Seeing  our  course  and  theirs  were  both  alike." 

From  the  old  bridge  the  sinners  we  beheld 
Toward  us  advancing  now,  that  adverse  band, 
In  the  same  manner  by  the  lash  compelled ; 
And  thus  my  Lord,  ere  I  could  make  demand : 
"  Observe  yon  mighty  one  that,  'mid  the  train, 
For  all  his  misery  seems  no  tear  to  shed : 
How  much  his  features  yet  the  king  retain  I 
'T  is  Jason,  basely  both  with  heart  and  head 
Who  robbed  the  Colchians  of  their  fleece  of  gold : 
Fast  by  the  Lemnian  isle  he  set  his  sails. 
When  the  fierce  women,  pitiless  and  bold, 
Had  slain  by  savage  compact  all  their  males. 
There  with  love-gifts  and  passion  well  profest 
Hypsipyle,  young  virgin,  he  beguiled, 
Who  had  herself  deluded  all  the  rest ; 
Then  full  of  grief  he  left  her,  and  with  child. 
Such  condemnation  for  such  crime  is  meet ! 
Here  too  Medea's  wi'ong  he  must  atone : 
With  him  go  all  who  practice  like  deceit. 
Enough  of  this  first  valley  now  is  known. 
Enough  of  those  whom  that  fierce  torment  rends." 

Now  came  we  where  our  pathway's  narrow  ridge 
Across  the  second  boundary's  rim  extends 
Which  serves  as  buttress  to  another  bridge. 


96  HELL. 

Tlience  lieard  we  people  in  the  trencli  beneath 
Who,  sadly  moaning,  slap  themselves  full  sore, 
And  through  their  mouths  and  nostrils  chokedly 

breathe. 
With  a  foul  mould  the  sides  were  crusted  o'er ; 
Exhaling  from  below,  it  clung  thereto, 
Offering  annoyance  both  to  smell  and  sight : 
So  deep  the  den  its  bottom  none  might  view, 
Save  from  the  rocky  bridge's  topmost  height. 
Hither  we  came,  and  in  the  pit  below 
I  saw  a  multitude  in  ordure  drowned 
Which  seemed  from  human  reservoirs  to  flow ; 
And,  as  with  searching  eye  I  peered  around, 
One  with  a  head  so  loaded  I  descried 
'T  were  hard  to  say  if  priest  or  layman  he. 
"  Wherefore  so  much  more  greedily,"  he  cried, 
"Than  these   my   brother   brutes   regard'st   thou 

me?" 
"  Because,"  I  said,  "  unless  my  memory  stray, 
I  've  seen  thee  with  dry  locks  more  neatly  drest : 
Thou  'rt  a  Lucchese,  Alessio  Interminei ! 
Therefore  I  mark  thee  more  than  all  the  rest." 

He  mumbled,  thumping  on  his  pumpkin  pate  : 
"  Flattery,  whereof  my  tongue  had  ne'er  its  fill. 
Thus  low  hath  sunk  me  to  this  loathsome  fate." 
Hereat  my  Guide  :  "  Gaze  farther  onward  still, 
A  little  farther  ;  till  thy  vision  meet 


CANTO   THE  NINETEENTH.  97 

Yonder  loose  harlot,  squalid  and  obscene, 
Who  croiicheth  now,  now  riseth  on  her  feet, 
And  often  tears  herself  with  nails  unclean. 
'T  is  the  lewd  Thais  who  made  answer  thus, 
When   her   swain   asked   her  if  her  thanks  werv 

great : 
'  Oh  yes  !  my  gratitude  is  marvelous  ! ' 
And  here  be  this  enough  our  gaze  to  sate." 


CANTO   THE  NINETEENTH. 

0  Simon  Magus  !     O  ye  wretches  led 

By  him,  who  still  the  gifts  of  Heaven's  great  Sire, 
Which  should  alone  with  holiness  be  wed, 
Make  prostitute  for  gold  and  silver  hire, 
Now  must  the  trumpet  somid  for  you !  whose  doom 
Is  tliis  third  pit.     Ascending  now  again. 
We  came  above  the  next  succeeding  tomb 
Where  the  crag  spans  the  middle  of  the  den. 
Wisdom  supreme,  what  wondrous  art  in  Heaven, 
On  earth,  and  in  the  wicked  world  is  shown ! 
What  just  allotment  has  thy  goodness  given ! 

1  saw  the  surface  of  the  livid  stone 

O'er  side  and  bottom  pierced  with  many  a  hole 
Of  equal  size,  and  every  hole  was  round  ; 
Such  as  about  the  great  baptismal  bowl 
Are  in  my  beautiful  Saint  John's  Church  found 


98  HELL. 

(No  less  nor  larger  they  appeared  to  me)  ; 
One  of  wliicli  holes,  not  many  years  ago, 
I  brake  to  set  a  stifled  creature  free : 
Let  all  the  truth  by  this  avowal  know. 

Forth  from  each  mouth  a  sinner's  quivering  feet 

And  legs  protruded,  far  as  to  the  calf, 

Both  soles  afire  I  burning  with  fiercest  heat. 

Buried  within  remained  the  other  half. 

Such  fearful  spasms  the  ankle-joints  o'ercame, 

The  force  had  sundered  withes  and  ropes  to  shreds : 

As  when  anointed  things  are  burnt,  the  flame 

Swims  o'er  the  surface  first  and  flickering  spreads, 

Even  such  this  blaze  appeared,  from  toe  to  heel. 

"  Master,"  I  asked,  "  what  wretch  is  writhing  there. 

With  greater  anguish  than  his  comrades  feel. 

Sucked  by  that  flame  of  a  more  sanguine  glare? " 

He  answered :  "  I  will  bear  thee,  if  thou  wilt, 

Down  there,  by  yon  more  gradual  decline. 

So  shalt  thou  learn  from  him  his  name  and  guilt." 

And  I  to  him :  "  Thy  j)leasure  still  is  mine  ; 

Thou  art  my  Lord,  thou  know'st  my  silent  thought. 

And  knowest  from  thy  will  I  never  stray." 

Me   then   he    straight   on   that   fourth    causeway 

brought. 
And  leftward  turning,  we  pursued  our  way 
Down  to  the  pent  and  perforated  space ; 
Nor  did  he  from  his  hip  set  down  my  load 


CANTO    THE  NINETEENTH.  99 

Till  he  had  borne  me  to  the  open  place 
Through  which   that   sinner's   limbs  his   anguish 
showed. 

"  Whoe'er  thou  art,  O  spirit  full  of  woe ! 
That  in  this  rock,  thus  planted  like  a  stake, 
Art  doomed  to  hold  thine  upper  part  below, 
If  thou  canst  utter  aught,  some  answer  make." 
I  stood  confessor-like  (in  act  to  shrive 
Some  vile  assassin  who,  his  feet  in  air, 
Calls  back  the  friar,  to  linger  still  alive)  ; 
And  he  cried  out :  "  Ha,  Boniface  I  art  there  ? 
Thou,  standing  there  !  already  come  to  fate  ? 
The  writing  then  by  several  years  hath  lied  : 
So  soon  thy  soul  could  that  possession  sate 
For  which  thou  didst  beguile  the  beauteous  bride 
Thenceforth  by  thee  so  cruelly  abused  ?  " 
Here  I  became  like  those  who  vainly  seek 
To  comprehend  some  answer,  all  confused 
As  if  bemocked,  unknowing  what  to  speak. 

Then  Virgil  thus  :  "  Reply  without  delay, 
'  I  am  not  he,  not  he  thou  hast  believed.' " 
Therefore  I  answered  as  he  bade  me  say, 
The  spirit  writhing  both  his  feet  as  grieved. 
Sighing,  he  asked,  in  accents  moaning  low : 
"  Desir'st  thou  aught  of  me  ?    What  wouldst  thou, 
then  ? 


100  HELL. 

Know,  if  it  so  concern  thy  soul  to  know 

That  thou  hast  ventured  to  explore  this  den, 

I  the  great  mantle  wore,  and  was  indeed 

A  true  Orsini,  whelp  of  that  she-bear 

Whose  cubs  I  strove  to  advance,  with  such  good 

speed 
That  I  'm  bagged  here  as  I  bagged  money  there. 
Headlong  beneath  my  head  are  buried  more. 
Crammed  in  this  rock's  inexorable  chink, 
Who  practiced  simony  like  me  before : 
So  I,  in  my  turn,  farther  down  shall  sink ; 
Ay,  soon  as  he  approacheth  whom  my  tongue 
Hastily  greeted,  as  I  thought,  in  thee  ; 
But  I  reversed,  with  burning  soles,  have  hung 
Longer  than  he,  with  his,  shall  planted  be. 
For  after  him  shall  follow,  from  the  west, 
A  lawless  pastor,  uglier  far  of  deed. 
By  whom  we  both  shall  farther  down  be  pressed : 
One  of  whose  like  in  Maccabees  we  read ; 
Another  Jason,  whom  his  king  of  old 
Favored  as  this  one  he  whom  France  obeys." 
I  loiow  not  here  but  I  was  over-bold 
That  thus  I  ventured  my  reply  to  phrase : 
"  What  sum  now,  tell  me,  did  Our  Lord  demand. 
In  the  first  instance,  and  how  large  a  fee. 
His  keys  consigning  to  Saint  Peter's  hand  ? 
Surely  he  asked  no  more  but  '  Follow  me ' ! 
Nor  gold  nor  silver  Peter  and  the  rest 


CANTO   THE  NINETEENTH.  101 

Asked  of  Matthias,  when  the  lot  he  drew 
For  that  high  place  which  Judas  had  possessed ; 
Therefore  remain  !  thy  doom  is  justly  due ; 
Take  thou  good  care  of  that  ill-gotten  gain 
Which  boldened  thee  to    join  'gainst    Charles  in 

strife. 
And  did  not  reverence  my  tongue  restrain 
For  the  high  charge  thou  held'st  in  joyous  life 
(Those  mighty  keys  which  were  of  yore  thine  own), 
I  could  have  spoke  in  terms  more  bitter  still : 
Thine  avarice  makes  the  universe  to  groan. 
Trampling  down  good  men,  and  exalting  ill. 
The  Evangelist,  ye  priests !  had  sight  of  you. 
When  she  that,  born  with  seven  heads,  commits 
Whoredom  with  kings  was  present  to  his  view 
(The  one  that  over  many  waters  sits)  ; 
She  that  in  sign  of  power  ten  horns  displayed. 
While  yet  her  spouse  the  ways  of  virtue  sought : 
Your  God  of  gold  and  silver  ye  have  made ! 
Differs  the  idolater  from  you  in  aught 
Save  that  he  worships  one,  and  hundreds  ye  ? 
Ah,  Constantine  !  to  how  much  ill  gave  birth 
Not  thy  conversion,  but  that  dower  by  thee 
Given  the  first  Pope  whose  treasure  was  of  earth !  " 

And  while  I  sang  to  him  in  such  a  strain. 
Whether  it  were  by  conscience  stung  or  rage, 
Both  of  his  blazing  soles  he  writhed  amain ; 


102  HELL. 

Which  I  believe  well  pleased  my  guiding  Sage, 
Since  ever  with  so  satisfied  a  look 
He  listened  to  the  truths  my  words  expressed. 
My  body  then  with  both  his  arms  he  took ; 
And  when  he  had  me  wholly  on  his  breast, 
Remounted  by  the  way  he  held  before, 
Nor  slacked  his  grasp  as  wearied  with  his  charge, 
But  to  the  archway's  top  my  burden  bore 
Which  joins  the  fourth  to  the  succeeding  marge. 
Here  gently  do^^^l  my  Master  set  liis  load ; 
Gently,  for  steep  and  rugged  was  the  height. 
Which  very  goats  had  found  no  easy  road : 
Thence  a  new  trench  lay  open  to  my  sight. 


CANTO   THE  TWENTIETH. 

Now  of  new  punishment  I  have  to  sing. 

And  more  material  for  the  twentieth  strain 

Of  this  first  portion  of  my  poem  bring. 

The  part  which  treats  of  people  sunk  in  pain. 

I  stood  already  gazing,  eager-eyed, 

Down  the  disclosed  abyss,  which  overflowed 

With  woefid  tears,  and  there  a  race  descried 

Who    towards    us    through    the   trenched   circuit 

strode. 
Silent  and  weeping,  with  the  solemn  gait 
Of  men  who  chant  the  litanies,  they  came  ; 


CANTO   THE   TWENTIETH.  103 

And,  as  mine  eye  more  closely  scanned  their  state, 
Strangely  reversed  appeared  each  sinner's  frame. 
Twisted  where  neck  doth  chin  and  chest  unite, 
High  o'er  their  loins  their  visages  they  held ; 
Having  before  them  thus  no  power  of  sight. 
To  walk  with  backward  step  they  were  compelled. 
Perhaps,  ere  now,  by  palsy's  powerful  touch. 
Some   wretch   there   may   have  been  so  wrenched 

about, 
But,  for  myself,  I  never  witnessed  such ; 
And  if  one  ever  were,  I  greatly  doubt. 
Think,  reader,  now  (God  only  grant  thou  reap 
Good  from  thy  reading  !  ),  how  could  I  so  near 
Behold  our  form  distorted  thus,  and  keep 
These  cheeks  of  mine  unmoistened  with  a  tear  ? 
For  down  the  channel  of  their  backs  there  crept 
Rivers  of  tears ;  so  that  I  leaned  beside 
One  of  the  splinters  of  the  rock,  and  wept ; 
For  which  reproved  me  thus  my  kindly  Guide : 

"  Art  thou,  too,  like  the  rest,  bereft  of  sense  ? 
Here  piety  most  lives  when  pity  dies. 
What  guilt  can  greater  be  than  his  offense 
Who  views  God's  justice  with  compassion's  eyes  ? 
Lift,  lift  thine  head !   at  him  look  yonder  now 
For  whom  earth  opened  in  the  Thebans'  sight. 
While  all  exclaimed  :  '  Ha !  whither  rushest  thou, 
Amphiaraus  ?  why  forsake  the  fight  ?  ' 


104  HELL. 

Meanwhile  he  fell,  in  hopeless  ruin,  far 

As  Minos,  monarch  of  the  all-seizing  clutch : 

See  how  his  bosom  now  his  shoulders  are  ! 

Once  he  would  fain  have  forward  seen  too  much, 

Therefore  he  backward  walks,  with  eyes  behind. 

Behold  Tiresias  next,  the  seer  who  took 

A  female  shape,  yea,  wholly  changed  his  kind, 

Wearing  a  woman's  limbs,  a  woman's  look  ; 

And  his  male  plumage  ere  he  could  restore 

Needs  must  he  use  again  his  magic  rod 

And  strike  therewith  those  coupling  snakes  once 

more. 
Aruns  comes  after,  doomed  like  him  to  plod. 

"  'Mid  the  white  marbles  up  in  Luni's  hills. 
Whose  sides  the  peasant,  nestling  at  their  base 
Down  in  the  village  of  Carrara,  tills. 
He  had  a  cavern  for  his  dwelling-place  : 
Thence   he   could   gaze,  with  naught   his  eye   to 

check 
From  gazing  on  the  stars  and  on  the  sea. 
But  look  at  her  whose  dangling  tresses  deck 
Her  breast  that  is  not  visible  to  thee  : 
Behold  how  all  her  hair  before  her  grows  ! 
Manto   she  was,  who   searched   through   many  a 

clime 
Till  in  my  birthplace  she  obtained  repose  ; 
Wherefore,  I  pray  thee,  listen  for  a  time. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTIETH.  105 

After  the  maiden's  royal  father  died, 

When  Bacchus'  town  a  tyrant's  thi-all  became, 

Long   through  the  world  she  wandered   far  and 

wide. 
Up  in  fair  Italy  a  lake,  by  name 
Benacus,  lies,  beneath  those  Alps  which,  o'er 
The  Tyrol  soaring,  Germany  impale  : 
A  thousand  fountains,  I  believe,  and  more, 
Bathe  Apennine  'twixt  Garda  and  the  vale 
Camonica,  then  slumber  in  that  lake : 
Hard  by,  Trent's  bishop  and  Verona's  might, 
With  Brescia's  too,  if  they  that  way  should  take, 
Their  benediction  give  with  equal  right. 
Where  wider  space  the  sloping  shore  permits, 
The  Bergamese  and  Brescians  to  confront, 
A  strong  and  sightly  hold,  Peschiera  sits : 
Here  swoln  Benacus  to  o'erflow  is  wont, 
And    forms    a    stream    whereby    the    meads    are 

crossed  ; 
But  when  the  waves  a  headlong  river  grow 
Their  name  Benacus  is  in  Mincius  lost. 
Far  as  Governo,  where  it  falls  in  Po. 
Soon  in  its  course  the  current  finds  a  bed. 
Spreading  o'er  which  it  settles  to  a  marsh. 
Whence  oft  in  summer  pestilence  is  bred. 
Hither  she  came,  this  virgin  sad  and  harsh ; 
And  finding  in  the  middle  of  the  fen 
A  vacant  waste  all  desolate  and  bare, 


106  HELL. 

Yearning  to  shun  all  intercourse  with  men, 

She  stopped  and  fixed  her  habitation  there. 

Here  with  her  slaves  she  plied  her  wicked  arts, 

But  left  her  body  tenantless  at  length : 

Then  people,  scattered  round  the  neighboring  parts^ 

Gathered  thereto  as  to  a  place  of  strength 

(Being  on  all  sides  by  the  marsh  protected), 

And  over  her  dead  bones  a  city  walled, 

The  which,  from  her  who  first  the  spot  selected. 

Without  more  augury,  they  Mantua  called. 

Ere  Casalodi's  foolishness  had  been 

By  Pinamonte's  artifice  deceived. 

Its  walls  a  greater  multitude  shut  in. 

I  charge  thee  be  this  true  account  believed, 

Whatever  false  narration  thou  mayst  hear, 

Of  my  land's  origin."     I  thus  replied  : 

"  Master,  my  faith  in  thee  is  so  sincere, 

In  thy  relation  I  must  needs  confide  ; 

All  other  tales  dead  embers  are  to  me  : 

But  tell  me  now,  of  those  that  onward  go, 

Any  of  notice  worthy  dost  thou  see  ? 

For  that  alone  my  mind  is  bent  to  know." 

"  He,"  Virgil  answered,  "  from  whose  cheek  there 

trails 
A  beard  o'er  shoidders  of  a  dusky  hue. 
Was  once,  when  Greece  was  so  bereft  of  males 
That  even  the  cradles  hardly  held  a  few, 


CANTO    THE    TWENTIETH.  107 

The  soothsayer  Eurypylus,  the  same, 

In  Aulis,  who  with  Calchas  gave  the  sign 

For  the  first  cable  to  be  cut.     His  fame 

Lives  in  that  lofty  tragic  verse  of  mine  : 

Thou  well    know'st    where,  who    knowest  all  my 

strain. 
That  other  yonder,  round  the  loins  so  small, 
Was  Michael  Scott,  who  truly  could  explain 
The  magic  art  with  its  impostures  all. 
See  Guy  Bonatti !  on  Asdente  look  ! 
Repenting  now  sincerely,  but  too  late. 
That  e'er  his  thread  and  leather  he  forsook 
To  meddle  with  the  mysteries  of  fate. 
Behold  those  wretched  women  that  resigned 
Spindle  and  shuttle  for  more  dangerous  arms ; 
Who  threw  aside  their  needles,  and  divined, 
With  herbs  and  images  contriving  charms. 

"  But  come !  already  close  to  the  confines 
Of  either  hemisphere,  the  wanderer  Cain 
Comes  with  his  thorn-bush,  and  his  orb  declines 
Low  under  Seville,  dipping  in  the  main. 
The  moon  thou  know'st  was  rounded  yesternight : 
Thou  shouldst  remember  well  how  oft  she  shone, 
Through  the  deep  wood,  to  aid  thee  with  her  light.' 
Thus  he  to  me  :  meanwhile  we  traveled  on. 


108  HELL. 

CANTO  THE  TWENTY-FIRST. 

With  other  talk  pursuing  thus  our  march, 

But  what,  my  comedy  cares  not  to  say, 

We  reached  the  top  of  the  succeeding  arch, 

And  paused,  another  fissure  to  survey. 

More  vain  laments  here  Malebolge  breathes ; 

And  dark  it  looked,  yea,  wondrously  obscure. 

Like  sticky  pitch,  that  during  winter  seethes 

In  the  Venetians'  arsenal,  to  cure 

Their  wounded  ships  (for,  since  the  time  prevents 

Their  navigation,  in  that  leisure  one 

Eebuilds  his  bark,  another  calks  the  rents 

In  some  old  hull  that  many  a  course  hath  run ; 

O'er  bow,  o'er  stern,  the  busy  hammerers  bend ; 

Some  fashion  oars,  and  some  huge  cables  twine. 

And  some  the  mizzen,  some  the  mainsail  mend). 

So,  not  by  force  of  fire,  but  art  divine, 

Down  underneath,  a  thick  tar  boiled  and  swelled, 

Wherewith  on  either  side  the  bank  was  smeared. 

I  saw  the  liquid,  but  therein  beheld 

Naught  but  the  bubbles  which  the  boiling  reared  ; 

I  saw  it  heave,  and  then,  comprest,  subside : 

And  while  I  gazed  intently  as  I  could 

Down  in  the  den,  "  Beware !  "  my  Leader  cried, 

And  drew  me  toward  himself  from  where  I  stood. 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-FIRST.  109 

I  turned,  like  one  who  lingers  to  behold 
Something    that,    seen,    might    well    persuade   his 

flight, 
Yet,  as  his  blood  with  sudden  fear  grows  cold. 
Checks  not  his  speed  to  satisfy  his  sight ; 
And  saw  a  fiend,  not  far  behind  our  back, 
Rushing  up  towards  us  o'er  the  rocky  road. 
How  fell  his  aspect  was !  how  fierce  and  black ! 
And  oh,  what  cruelty  his  gesture  showed ! 
Swiftly,  with  outspread  wings,  he  skimmed  his  way ; 
Across  his  high  and  peaked  shoulder  cast, 
A  sinner's  carcass  on  both  haunches  lay. 
The  fiend  the  ankle-sinew  griping  fast. 
"  Ye  of  our  bridge,"  he  cried,  "  curst-claws  !  I  bear 
One  of  Saint  Zita's  elders  in  my  clutch  : 
Plunge  him  down  deep,  and  back  I  will  repair 
To  fetch  you  more.     His  land  breeds  plenty  such : 
There,  save  Bonturo,  every  man  's  a  cheat ; 
There  yes  of  no  for  money  they  can  make." 
Hurling  him  down,  back  o'er  the  hard  rock,  fleet 
He  sped  like  a  mastiff  set  some  thief  to  take. 
The  sinner  plunged,  then,  doubled  up,  arose. 
While  vmderneath  the  bridge  more  demons  cried : 
"  No  sacred  visao:e  Malebolsre  knows  ! 
Far  different  swimming  this  from  Serchio's  tide  ! 
Unless  by  our  fell  forks  thou  wouldst  be  maimed. 
Look  lest  thou  get  above  the  pitch  by  chance." 
More  than  a  hundred  prongs  at  him  they  aimed. 


110  HELL. 

Crying :  "  Here  under  cover  thou  must  dance ! 
So,  if  thou  'rt  able,  do  thy  filching  hid  !  " 
And  struck  him  down  as  cunningly  as  cooks, 
Lest  the  meat  rise  above  the  cauldron,  bid 
Their  scullions  keep  it  under  with  their  hooks. 

Then  my  good  Master :  "  Lest  it  should  be  seen 
That  thou  art  here,  conceal  thee  and  crouch  down 
Behind  this  rock,  and  let  it  be  thy  screen. 
Whate'er   they   threat   me,   fear   thou   not    their 

frown : 
Well  I  foreknow  their  conduct  and  th'  event, 
Having  before  endured  as  fierce  a  brunt." 
Then  down  the  bridge  to  the  sixth  bank  he  went, 
Where  needed  he  to  wear  a  fearless  front. 
With  equal  fury  and  such  storm  of  wrath 
As  when  dogs  fly  some  loiterer  to  attack, 
Who  stops  and  cries  for  alms  upon  his  path. 
Rushed  from  beneath  the  bridge  the  spiteful  pack. 
And  against  him  their  weapons  pointed  all ; 
But  Virgil  cried  :  "  Let  none  his  rage  display. 
Ere  on  my  form  you  let  your  flesh-hooks  fall. 
Come  forward  one,  and  hear  what  I  would  say. 
Let  him  consider  then  of  striking  me." 
The  fiends  all  shouted :  "  Malacoda,  go  !  " 
Whereat  one  moved ;  the  rest  remaining,  he 
Came    growling    on :    "  What    brings    thee    here 

below  ?  " 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-FIRST.  Ill 

"  Believ'st  thou,  Malacoda,  thou  haclst  here," 
My  Master  said,  "  seen  nie,  desjDite  your  hate, 
Walk  from  all  harm  secure  and  void  of  fear, 
Without  the  will  divine  and  favoring  fate  ? 
Through  this  wild  way  this  mortal's  feet  to  guide 
Heaven  grants  me  power :   dare  not  my  course  to 

stop !  " 
Straight  at  these  words  so  fell  the  demon's  pride 
Down  at  his  feet  he  let  his  hell-fork  drop ; 
"  We  must  not  strike  him,"  saying  to  the  rest. 
My  Leader  then  :  "  O  thou  who  cowerest  there 
Amid  the  splinters  of  the  bridge  comprest, 
Hither  to  me  securely  now  repair !  " 
So  scrambling  forth,  I  sped  me  to  his  side. 
Yet  as  the  devils  their  advance  renewed 
Shuddered  lest  by  their  truce  they  might  not  bide. 
So  shook  the  infantry  that  once  I  \dewed, 
When  they  by  compact  from  Caprona  came, 
To  see  themselves  hemmed  round  so  by  their  foes ; 
And  clinging  to  my  Guide  wath  all  my  frame, 
I  gazed,  and  could  not  move  my  gaze  from  those. 
No  trait  of  goodness  tempered  their  bad  looks. 
"  Wouldst  thou,"  growled  one,  "  I  hit  him  on  the 

hip?" 
The  others  answ^ered,  aiming  dow^n  their  hooks  : 
''  Ay,  fork  him,  fellow  !   let  him  feel  it  nip." 
But  he,  the  fiend  that  with  my  Leader  spake, 
Cried,  turning  quick :  *'  Stay,  Scarmiglione,  stay !  " 


112  HELL. 

Then  unto  us :  "  No  farther  can  you  take 
In  this  direction  o'er  these  crags  your  way : 
All  ruined  lies  the  sixth  arch  to  the  base. 
If  't  is  your  object  onward  to  proceed 
Along  this  margent,  ye  must  keep  your  pace ; 
Hard  by,  another  rock  will  serve  your  need. 
For  know  that  yesterday,  five  hours  more  late 
Than  this  self  hour,  twelve  hundred  rolling  years, 
Threescore  and  six,  fulfilled  the  course  of  fate. 
Since  here  the  way  was  shattered  as  appears. 

"  Thither  I  send  this  brigade  of  my  crew 

To  mark  if  any  peer  above  the  scum : 

Go  with  them ;  harmless  they  shall  be  to  you." 

Then  he  began  :  "  Come,  Alichino,  come  ! 

Come,  Calcabrina,  and  Cagnazzo,  thou ! 

And  Barbariccia  !  thou  the  ten  shalt  lead  ! 

Now,  Libicocco,  Draghinazzo,  now ! 

Fanged  Ciriatto  I  Graffiacane,  speed  ! 

Mad  Rubicante,  Farfarello,  march  ! 

And  round  about  the  boiling  pitch  explore  : 

These  give  safe  conduct  far  as  that  next  arch, 

Which,  all  entire,  the  caverns  crosseth  o'er." 

"  O  Master  mine  !  "  said  I,  "  what  is 't  I  see  ? 

Alone  let  us  without  an  escort  go  : 

I  ask  none,  if  the  way  be  known  to  thee. 

Look  at  yon  grinning  fiends  !  what  tusks  they  show  ! 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SECOND.        113 

Markest  thou  not,  if  prudence  rule  thee  still, 
With  what  a  menace  those  fell  brows  are  bent  ?  " 
"  Fear  not,"  he  answered :  "  let  them  snarl  at  will ; 
'T  is  for  their  seething  victims  only  meant." 
By  the  left  bank  the  fiendish  cohort  veered ; 
But  each  his  tongue  first  pressed  his  teeth  between, 
And  with  this  signal  at  their  leadesf  leered, 
Who  blew  a  bugle-note  of  sound  obscene. 


CANTO  THE  TWENTY-SECOND. 

I  HAVE,  ere  now,  seen  cavalry  shift  camp, 
Begin  the  assault,  and  muster  in  array ; 
And  sometimes  in  retreat  with  rapid  tramp  ; 
Light  horsemen  o'er  your  fields  have  I  seen  play, 
Ye  Aretines  !  and  squadrons  as  they  passed. 
The  clash  of  tournaments  and  tilting  knights, 
Sometimes  with  drums  and  oft  with  trumpet  blast. 
And  bells  and  signals  given  from  castle  heights. 
With  foreign  instruments,  and  with  our  own ; 
But  horse  or  foot  I  never  saw  before 
Moving  to  music  of  so  strange  a  tone. 
Nor  ship,  by  any  sign  of  star  or  shore. 

With  those  ten  fiends  we  went.     Ah,  troop  of  sin ! 

Fearful  companionship !  but  ever  so 

With  saints  at  church,  with  gourmands  at  an  inn. 


114  HELL. 

Yet  I  gazed  only  at  the  pitcli  below ; 
Bent  all  the  contents  of  that  den  to  view, 
And  who  those  might  be  scalding  there  inside : 
And  like  as  dolphins  warn  a  watchful  crew 
Means  for  their  vessel's  safety  to  provide, 
By  their  arched  backs  that  coming  storms  fore- 
bode. 
So  to  relieve  the  torture's  keen  extreme, 
At  times  his  back  a  quivering  sinner  showed, 
Then  vanished  quicker  than  the  lightning's  gleam. 
And  just  as  frogs  that  stand,  with  noses  out 
On  a  pool's  margin,  but  beneath  it  hide 
Their  feet  and  all  their  bodies  but  the  snout, 
So  stood  the  sinners  there  on  every  side. 
But  soon  as  Barbariccia  drew  more  near, 
Under  the  bubbles  ducked  they  down  full  swift. 
I  witnessed  then  what  thrills  me  yet  with  fear : 
One,  lingering  longer,  with  his  head  uplift. 
As  one  frog  stays,  while  darts  the  next  away, 
Whom  Graffiacane,  being  nearest,  hooked 
Forth  by  the  tarry  locks,  a  writhing  j^rey  ; 
Like  a  speared  otter  to  my  sight  he  looked ! 

I  knew  each  demon's  appellation  now. 
For  when  selected,  I  had  marked  them  well. 
And  when  one  hailed  his  mate,  I  noticed  how. 
Then  thus  I  heard  them  all  together  yell : 
"  O  Rubicante !  fix  those  claws  of  thine 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-SECOND.         115 

So  in  his  back  that  thou  his  carcase  flay !  " 
Then  I :  "If  thou  art  able,  Master  mine, 
Inform  thyself  concerning  him,  I  pray : 
Who  is  the  luckless  wretch  that  thus  hath  chanced 
The  clutch  of  such  keen  enemies  to  bide  ?  " 
Close  to  his  side  my  Leader  then  advanced, 
Saying:    "Whence  camest   thou?"     And   he  re- 
plied : 

"  Navarre's  proud  kingdom  was  my  native  place  : 

My  mother  put  me  in  a  lord's  employ. 

For  she  had  borne  me  to  a  spendthrift  base, 

Bent  both  himself  and  substance  to  destroy. 

The  good  king  Tybalt  next  I  served,  and  here 

To  peculation  all  my  thoughts  I  turned. 

For  wliich  I  render  an  account  so  dear. 

In  this  hot  punishment  where  I  am  burned." 

Then  Ciriatto,  from  whose  chaps  there  gleamed 

A  boarish  tusk  on  either  side  his  jaws. 

With  one  of  them  the  miscreant's  maw  unseamed. 

The  mouse  had  fallen  into  cruel  paws ! 

But  Barbariccia  with  a  fell  embrace 

Grasped  him,  and  shouted  :  "  Stand  aside :  let  me 

Grapple    him    first."     Therewith   he    turned    his 

face 
Towards  my  Lord,  saying :  "  If  your  will  it  be 
To  learn  more  of  him,  quickly  make  request. 
Before  some  other  fiend  the  caitiff  tear." 


116  HELL. 

My  Leader  then  :  "  Say  if  amid  the  rest, 
Under  the  pitch,  a  Latian  soul  be  there  ?  " 

The  shade  replied  :  "  I  left  not  long  ago 
One  that  of  Latium  was  a  neighbor  near ; 
Ah,  were  I  with  him  covered  deep  below  ! 
Nor  talons  there  nor  hell-hook  should  I  fear." 
Then  Libicocco  :  "  We  've  endured  too  long  ;  " 
And  in  the  sinner's  arm  his  weapon  stuck. 
Bringing  away  a  sinew  on  his  prong. 
His  legs,  too,  Draghinazzo  would  have  struck. 
But  sternly  round  their  fierce  decurion  glared  ; 
And  when  their  fury  was  a  little  stayed. 
My  Guide,  without  delay,  of  him  who  stared 
On  his  gashed  limb,  this  further  question  made  : 
"  Whom  didst  thou  leave  (through  such  ill-timed 

desire 
To  come  ashore)  below  there  as  thou  say'st?" 
"  That  vessel  full  of  all  deceit,  the  friar 
Gomita,"  he  replied,  "  Gallura's  pest. 
Having  his  master's  enemies  in  charge. 
He  served  them  so  that  each  commends  his  love ; 
For  bribes,  he  owns,  he  let  them  go  at  large ; 
And  in  his  other  offices  above 
No  petty  barterer  he,  but  prince  in  guile  ; 
Don  Michael  Zanche,  lord  of  Logodore, 
Talks  with  him  still  about  Sardinia's  isle, 
Of  that  loved  theme  unwearied  evermore. 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-SECOND.         117 

Oh  me  !  look,  look  !  with  what  ferocious  air 
That  other  demon  grins  :  more  I  would  say, 
Did  I  not  dread  lest  yonder  fiend  prepare 
With  his  curst  hook  my  tettered  hide  to  flay  !  " 

Here  their  great  general,  while  with  eyes  askant 

Fierce  Farfarello  seemed  about  to  smite, 

Turned     round     and     cried :     "  Malignant    kite, 

avaunt ! " 
The  wretch  resumed,  still  quivering  with  affright : 
"  If  ye  would  see  or  hear  among  this  pack 
Tuscans  or  Lombards,  I  will  summon  such ; 
Let  these  curst-claws  but  stand  a  little  back, 
So  that  they  need  not  fear  their  vengeful  clutch, 
I,  sitting  down  here  in  this  place  with  you. 
Will  for  myself  make  seven  appear  instead. 
Soon  as  I  whistle  ;  as  we  use  to  do 
Whene'er  a  ghost  may  safely  raise  his  head." 
At  this  Cagnazzo,  wagging  to  and  fro 
His  pate,  and  curling  up  his  nostril,  cried  : 
"  Hear  his  malicious  craft,  to  plunge  below !  " 
Then  he,  so  rich  in  trickeries,  replied  : 
"  Yea,  too  malicious,  seeking  to  obtain 
More  misery  for  my  comrades  in  the  lake." 
Here  Alichin  no  longer  could  refrain, 
But  raised  his  voice  against  the  rest  and  spake  : 
"  If  thou  plunge  in,  I  '11  not  give  chase  afoot. 
But  o'er  the  pitch  my  pinions  I  will  beat ; 


118  HELL. 

Come,  be  this  bank's  high  screen  between  us  put ! 
See  if  thou  singly  may  with  us  compete." 

A  novel  sport,  now,  reader,  shalt  thou  hear : 

Soon  as  each  fiend  from  that  shore  turned  his  look, 

He  first  of  all  who  most  had  seemed  austere, 

The  Navarrese  that  lucky  moment  took. 

Set  his  feet  firmly  on  the  ground,  and  sprung 

Freed,  in  a  moment,  from  their  plotted  toil ! 

With  sudden  fury  every  devil  was  stung  ; 

But  chief  the  fiend  that  caused  them  such  a  foil. 

He  sped  amain,  crying  :   "  Thou  'rt  caught !  "  but 

slow 
His  pinions  proved,  and  little  they  availed 
To  match  the  fear  of  him  who  dived  below ; 
And  back  again  with  soaring  breast  he  sailed. 
Even  thus,  whene'er  a  falcon  hovereth  nigh, 
Drops  the  duck  suddenly  beneath  the  wave, 
Jaded  and  galled  his  foe  returns  on  high. 
Fresh  rage  this  trick  to  Calcabrina  gave  : 
Greedy  for  strife,  close  after  him  he  flew, 
Glad  that  the  ghost's  escape  had  given  him  cause ; 
And  when  the  barterer  vanished  from  his  view, 
Straight  in  his  fellow-fiend  he  fixed  his  claws. 
High  o'er  the  fosse  he  grappled  with  him  fast ; 
But  in  return  the  other  clawed  him  well, 
Proving  himself  a  powerful  hawk.     At  last 
Amid  the  boiling  pitch  they  struggling  fell. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-THIRD.  119 

The  heat  soon  parted  them  :  involved  they  sank, 
And  their  clogged  pinions  vainly  strove  to  soar  ; 
But  Barbariccia  from  the  other  bank 
Moaned  with  his  mates,  and  sent  to  aid  them  four. 
Swiftly  they  sped  with  all  their  hooks,  and  thrust 
Their  prongs  to  rescue  the  entangled  pair, 
Already  baked  within  that  covering  crust ; 
And  in  this  fray  we  left  them  struggling  there. 


CANTO   THE  TWENTY-THIRD. 

Silent  we  walked,  in  solitary  mode, 
My  Master  foremost,  and  myself  behind, 
As  go  the  gray  Franciscans  on  their  road ; 
While  the  late  quarrel  occupied  my  mind, 
And  to  my  memory  that  old  fable  came 
Touching  the  frog  and  mouse  which  ^sop  wrote  : 
Not  ay  and  yea  more  signify  the  same 
Than  these  two  stories,  if  with  careful  note 
One  mark  the  occasion  and  the  end  of  both. 
And  since  one  thought  is  from  another  bred, 
So  from  that  first  a  second  had  its  growth, 
Which  brought  back  double  all  my  former  dread, 
My  trembling  heart  this  fancy  flashed  across  : 
These  demons  through  our  agency  have  met 
Discomfiture,  with  mockery,  too,  and  loss. 
Such  as  must  needs  their  fiendish  natures  fret. 


120  HELL. 

If  rage  increase  that  evil  will  of  theirs, 

They  will  pursue  us  fiercer  in  their  spite 

Than  the  fell  hound  the  leveret  which  he  tears : 

I  felt  each  hair  with  horror  stand  upright. 

"  Master,"  I  said,  intently  gazing  back, 

"  Unless  thou  quickly  hide  thyself  and  me, 

I  fear  from  these  curst-claws  a  fresh  attack ; 

Already  close  behind  us  they  must  be ; 

Yea,  I  imagine  I  can  feel  their  hooks." 

And  he  replied  :  "  Were  I  of  leaded  glass, 

I  could  not  sooner  catch  thine  outward  looks 

Than  into  mine  thy  inmost  soul  doth  pass. 

Mingling  with  mine  this  instant  came  thy  thought, 

The  same  in  bearing  and  in  face  as  mine  ; 

So  that  of  both  one  counsel  I  have  wrought. 

If  now  this  right-hand  shore  so  much  incline 

That  to  the  pit  below  we  may  descend, 

The  imaginary  chase  we  shall  avoid." 

Of  this  advice  he  had  not  made  an  end 

Before  I  saw  them  on  their  pinions  buoyed  : 

Towards  us,  at  no  great  distance,  fierce  they  flew, 

As  't  were  to  strike  us  with  their  taking  darts. 

Quick  to  himself  my  Guide  my  person  drew, 

Even  like  a  mother  whom  some  outcry  starts. 

Waking,  that  sees  the  enkindled  flames,  and  wild 

Snatches  her  son  and  flies  without  delay. 

Not  even  to  catch  (more  caring  for  her  child 

Than  for  herseK)  one  garment  on  her  way; 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-THIRD.  121 

And  from  the  summit  of  the  flinty  bank, 
Down  by  the  pendent  rock  which  bars  one  side 
Of  the  succeeding  trench,  supine  he  sank. 
Nor  e'er  did  water  through  a  conduit  glide 
With  swifter  flow  to  turn  a  land-mill's  wheel, 
When  to  the  very  paddles  near  impelled. 
Than  down  that  ridge  my  Master  sped  with  zeal, 
While  on  his  breast  my  body's  weight  he  held. 
Thus  bearing  me  as  I  had  been  his  son. 
Not  mere  companion,  scarce  his  feet  had  gained 
The  bed  below,  when  those  we  strove  to  shun 
Reached  the  cliff  o'er  us :  he  unmoved  remained. 
For  that  high  Providence  which  willed  that  they 
O'er  the  fifth  pit  in  ministry  preside 
Forbids  them  all  beyond  its  bounds  to  stray. 
Here  now  a  painted  people  we  descried : 
Full  slow,  with  jaded  look  and  toilsome  guise. 
They  went  their  round  with  lamentable  moan. 
In  robes  with  low-hung  cowls  that  hid  their  eyes, 
And  shaped  like  those  the  monks  wear  at  Cologne. 

Gilded  outside,  with  dazzling  ray  they  glared ; 

Within,  all  lead,  and  of  a  load  so  great 

That  Frederic's  were  of  straw,  with  these  compared  : 

O  weary  mantle  !  everlasting  weight ! 

With  them  together,  listening  their  complaint. 

Still  toward  the  left,  around  the  chasm  we  kept ; 

But  with  the  burden  of  their  vesture  faint 


122  HELL. 

The  weary  tribe  witli  lagging  footsteps  crept. 
Thus  to  new  spirits  at  each  step  we  came. 
I  asked  my  Guide  then  :  "  May  there  not  be  found 
Some  one  distinguished  by  his  deeds  or  name  ? 
In  walking  with  them,  pray  thee  look  around." 

And  one  who  seemed  the  Tuscan  speech  to  know, 
Behind  us  called  :  "  Your  ra^^id  pace  restrain, 
Ye  who  through  this  murk  air  so  swiftly  go  ! 
From  me,  perchance,  thy  wish  thou  mayst  obtain." 
At  this  my  Leader  turned  and  whispered  :  "  Hold ! 
Stay  thy  quick  step  and  his  companion  be." 
I  stopped,  and  saw  two  shades  whose  visage  told 
How  eagerly  they  longed  to  be  with  me. 
Their  load  and  clogged  path  hindered  their  ad- 
vance ; 
But,  having  reached  us,  long  without  a  word 
With  wondering  eyes  they  looked  at  me  askance ; 
Then,  turning,  thus  together  they  conferred : 
"  One  seems  alive  by  motion  of  his  throat ; 
And  by  what  privilege,  if  they  be  dead. 
Go  they  uncovered  with  the  leaden  coat  ?  " 
Then  thus  addressing  me  alone  they  said  : 
*'  Thou  to  this  conclave  who  art  newly  come 
Of  wretched  hypocrites,  O  Tuscan  !  deign 
To  speak  with  us,  nor  in  disdain  be  dumb ; 
Say  who  thou  art."     I  answered  in  this  strain ; 
"  In  the  great  city  on  fair  Arno's  flow 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-THIRD.  123 

Tills  form  I  wear,  and  always  have  worn,  grew. 
But  who  are  ye  adown  whose  cheeks  this  woe 
Distilleth,  as  I  see,  such  bitter  dew  ? 
What  glittering  pain  is  that  wherewith  ye  gleam  ?  " 
"  These  orange  cloaks  are  leaden,  and  so  great 
The  load  thereof,"  one  answered,  "that  the  beam 
Of  the  tired  balance  cracks  beneath  the  weight. 

"  Gay  friars  we  were  :  he  Loderingo  named, 

I  Catalano,  from  Bologna's  land. 

To  guard  her  peace,  your  state  our  service  claimed, 

As  oft  some  neutral  doth  for  umpire  stand ; 

And  for  our  deeds,  survey  Gardingo  round !  " 

"  Ye  friars  !  your  wickedness  "  —     I  thus  begun, 

But  said  no  more,  beholding  on  the  ground 

One   crucified,  through   whom   three   stakes  were 

run. 
He  writhed  all  over,  seeing  me,  and  heaved 
Beneath  his  beard  deep  sighs  that  spoke  despair ; 
And  Brother  Catalan,  who  this  perceived. 
Said ;  "  Yon  pierced  wretch  on  whom  thou  gazest 

there 
Counseled  the  Pharisees  to  sacrifice 
One  man  as  martyr  to  the  people's  wrath ; 
Now,  as  thou  seest,  his  naked  body  lies 
Traverse  for  evermore  across  our  path. 
None  pass  but  he  must  feel  their  pressure  first. 
Here  a  like  torment  his  wife's  father  rues, 


124  HELL. 

With  others  of  that  council  thrice  accurst, 
The  seed  of  so  much  evil  to  the  Jews." 

I  marked  how  Yirgil,  wondering,  gazed  the  while 

On  the  poor  wretch  across  the  ground  outspread, 

In  banishment  eternal  and  so  vile. 

Addressing  then  the  friar,  my  Master  said  : 

"  Say,  if  thou  mayst,  could  our  escape  be  made 

By  any  passage  to  the  right  of  this. 

Without  compelling  those  dark  angels'  aid 

To  come  and  guide  us  from  this  dread  abyss  ?  " 

"  Nearer,"  he  answered,  "  than  thou  dar'st  to  hope. 

From  the  great  circle  stretching,  there  is  bent 

O'er  all  these  fearful  pits  a  craggy  cope ; 

Only  o'er  this  the  rocky  arch  is  rent. 

Its  sloping  ruins  ye  may  climb  that  rise 

High  o'er  the  side  and  bottom  of  this  glen. 

My  Guide  stood  looking  down,  in  thoughtfid  wise. 

And  said :  "  The  fiend  has  misinformed  us,  then, 

That  yonder  sinners  with  his  weapon  wrings." 

"  I  've  at  Bologna  heard,"  replied  the  friar, 

"  Much  ill  of  Satan  ;  amid  other  things, 

That  he  's  a  liar,  and  of  lies  the  sire." 

Straightway  my  Leader  slowly  onward  strode, 
His  face  just  flushed  with  anger's  transient  heat : 
I  left  those  spirits,  too,  of  heavy  load. 
Following  the  print  of  his  beloved  feet. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FOURTH.        125 

CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FOURTH. 

In  the  year's  infant  season,  when  the  sun 
Tempers  his  tresses  'neath  Aquarius'  reign, 
And  towards  the  equinox  the  long  nights  run  ; 
When  the  frost  copies  on  the  glittering  plain 
The  pure  white  image  of  her  sister  snow, 
Though  her  light  writing  soon  is  thawed  away, 
The  peasant  then,  whose  wintry  store  is  low, 
Starts  forth  and  looks  about  him  in  dismay ; 
And,  seeing  everywhere  the  whitened  ground, 
Smites  on  his  thigh,  returning  to  his  cot, 
And  wanders  here  and  there,  complaining  round, 
Poor  wretch  !  unknowing  how  to  mend  his  lot. 
Then,  sallying  out  again,  his  hope  revives 
To  see  how  soon  the  world  has  changed  its  face, 
And  catching  up  his  crook,  his  flock  he  drives 
To  their  old  pasture  with  a  cheerful  pace. 
Even  so  my  heart  sank  when  I  marked  my  Guide 
Wearing  such  trouble  writ  upon  his  brow, 
And  even  so  soon  the  balsam  he  supplied. 
For  we  had  reached  the  broken  causeway  now, 
And  turning  towards  me  with  that  gentle  smile 
Which,  at  the  mountain's  base,  I  thought  so  sweet, 
Scanning  the  ruin,  first  he  mused  awhile  ; 
Then  oped  his  arms  and  raised  me  from  my  feet. 


126  HELL. 

Like  one  who  tolling  seemeth  to  foresee 
Ever  some  other  labor  still  to  do, 
Thus,  to  one  fragment's  top  in  lifting  me. 
Eyed  he  the  next  and  cried :  "  Cling  fast  thereto ! 
But  try  it  first,  if  'twill  thy  pressure  bear." 
For  a  cloaked  sinner  't  were  no  easy  pass  ; 
Since  though  he  bore  my  weight,  himself  but  air, 
Scarce  could  we  mount  from  toppling  mass  to  mass ; 
And  had  it  not  been  that  the  encircling  rim, 
On  this  side  of  the  chasm,  was  less  in  height 
Than  on  the  other,  I  '11  not  speak  for  him ! 
But,  for  myself,  I  had  been  vanquished  quite. 
But  Malebolge  sinks  (its  form  is  such) 
Still  towards  the  mouth  of  the  last  pit  of  all ; 
Therefore  in  every  valley  just  as  much 
As  one  side  rises  must  the  other  fall. 

The  ruin's  topmost  point  at  length  we  gained, 
Whence  the  last  stone  broke  off  that  fell  below : 
And  here  my  lungs  were  of  my  breath  so  drained 
That,  once  arrived,  I  could  no  further  go. 
But  as  I  sat,  the  Master  cried  :  "  Arise  ! 
Shake  off  all  weakness  ;  for  whoso  on  down, 
Or  underneath  a  coverlet  who  lies, 
Never  shall  come  to  knowledge  of  renown ; 
And  without  fame  who  lets  his  life  outwear, 
Leaveth  such  vestige  of  himself  behind 
As  foam  in  water  leaves,  or  smoke  in  air  : 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FOURTH.        127 

Up,  then !  and  conquer  sloth  by  strength  of  mind. 
The  mind  comes  victor  off  in  every  fight, 
Unless  the  body  burden  it  too  much : 
Come,  we  have  stairs  to  scale  of  loftier  flight ! 
'T  is  not  enough  to  have  'scaped  the  demons'  clutch  : 
Profit  by  these  words,  if  their  sense  thou  heed." 
Then  up  I  sprang,  and  showed  myself  possessed 
Of  breath  far  better  than  I  felt  indeed, 
And  said :  "  Lead  on !    I  'm  strong,  nor  wish  for 
rest." 

Now  up  the  rock  we  took  our  way  once  more, 
A  narrow,  broken,  difficult  ascent. 
And  steeper  far  than  we  had  just  climbed  o'er. 
Not  to  seem  weak,  conversing  still  I  went ; 
When  came  a  voice  forth  from  the  other  fosse, 
Muttering,  not  uttering  distinctly  aught : 
Though  on  the  summit  of  the  arch  across 
I  stood,  the  words  it  said  I  vainly  sought. 
Though  he  who  spake  seemed  full  of  wrath  ai 

fierce. 
I  bent  me  to  gaze  down,  but  living  sight 
That  darkness  could  not  to  the  bottom  pierce : 
I  begged  my  Lord  then  to  descend  the  height 
To  the  next  bank,  that  formed  the  archway's  pier. 
"  Yea,  let  us  clamber  down  the  wall,"  said  I, 
"  For  as  I  hear,  unknowing  what  I  hear. 
So  I  see  down,  but  nothing  can  descry." 


128  HELL. 

'^  Fulfillment  is  the  sole  rej^ly,  my  son, 

I  render  thee  :  a  frank  request,"  he  said, 

"  Should  be  received  in  silence,  and  be  done." 

So  we  descended  by  the  bridge's  head, 

Where  with  the  eighth  bank  it  unites ;  and  here 

Opened  upon  mine  eyes  the  loathsome  deep 

Within  whose  gloom  I  saw  a  sight  of  fear : 

Serpents  of  strangest  kind,  a  horrid  heap ! 

Remembrance  in  my  blood  a  shuddering  wakes. 

Let  Libya  'mid  her  sands  her  poisonous  host, 

Chelydras,  amphisbaenas,  javelin-snakes, 

Chersydras,  cenchris,  phareas,  no  more  boast : 

Pests  of  such  sort,  so  many  and  so  fell. 

That  country  never  yet  produced  !  with  all 

That  in  the  wilds  of  Ethiopia  dwell. 

Or  o'er  the  deserts  by  the  Red  Sea  crawl. 

Amid  this  foul  and  savage  swarm,  a  race 
Ran  trembling  naked,  without  hope  to  find 
Heliotrope's  charm,  or  any  hiding-place  : 
Their  hands  with  serpents   fast  were  bound   be- 
hind: 
These  both  with  head  and  tail  their  loins  pierced 

through. 
Being  in  front  close  gathered  in  a  knot. 
And  lo !  at  one,  beside  our  bank,  there  flew 
A  reptile  which  transfixed  him  on  the  spot. 
Striking  him  just  where  neck  and  shoulders  blend ; 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FOURTH,        129 

Instant  the  sinner  kindled  into  flame  : 
Never  was  0  nor  /more  swiftly  penned 
Than,  sinking  down,  all  ashes  he  became ! 
And  soon  as  thus  dissolved  in  dust  he  fell. 
Straightway  the  ashes  gathered  from  the  earth 
To  their  old  figure :  thus,  great  sages  tell, 
The  phoenix  dies,  then  hath  a  second  birth. 
About  the  term  of  her  five  hundred  years. 
Through  which  on  no  green  herb  nor  blade  she 

feeds, 
But  incense  only,  and  the  amomum's  tears, 
While    myrrh   and   spikenard    form   her   funeral 

weeds. 
As  one  who  falls,  not  knowing  how  he  falls. 
Whether  some  demon  drag  him  to  the  ground, 
Or  some  obstruction  that  the  man  enthralls. 
Soon  as  he  riseth  strangely  gazes  round ; 
And  by  the  agony  he  just  hath  past 
Bewildered,  sighs  and  looks  with  wondering  stare, 
Thus,  as  that  sinner  rose,  he  stood  aghast. 
Justice  of  God  !  how  terrible  to  bear, 
That  pourest  down  thy  storm  of  vengeance  so  ! 
Who  he  might  be,  my  Guide  demanded  then. 
"  I  rained  from  Tuscany,  not  long  ago," 
Replied  the  wretch,  "  down  into  this  wild  den. 
Bestial,  not  human  life  pleased  me ;  for  I 
Am  Vanni  Fucci,  one  of  mulish  heart, 
A  beast :  Pistoja  was  my  fitting  sty." 


130  HELL. 

Then  I  to  Virgil :  "  Bid  liim  not  depart, 
But  ask  what  crime  the  caitiff  hither  brought, 
Whom  for  a  man  of  blood  and  wrath  I  knew." 
The  sinner  heard,  nor  to  evade  me  sought, 
Though  his  cheeks  burned  with  shame's  distressful 

hue ; 
But  leveling  at  me  his  mind  and  eyes, 
Gave  me  this  answer :  "  More  it  makes  me  mourn 
That  thou  my  misery  shouldst  thus  surprise, 
Than  from  the  other  life  when  I  was  torn. 
I  cannot  choose  but  answer  thy  demand. 
Thus  low  I  dwell  because  I  dared  invade 
The  sacristy's  fair  gifts  with  impious  hand ; 
Which  deed  was  to  another  falsely  laid. 
Yet  to  have  seen  me  here  lest  thou  rejoice. 
When  thou  these  pits  of  darkness  shalt  have  left, 
Open  thine  ears  to  my  prophetic  voice ! 
Pistoja  first  of  Neri  shall  be  reft ; 
Then,  Florence  changing  both  her  men  and  laws. 
Mars  brings  a  lightning-flash  from  Magra's  vale. 
Which  blackest  clouds  inwrap  and  furious  flaws. 
And  shall  ere  long  full  bitterly  assail. 
In  storm  of  battle,  on  Piceno's  plain ; 
But  soon  the  fog  asunder  he  will  tear. 
Nor  shall  one  Bianco  without  scath  remain : 
All  which  I  tell  thee  to  thy  soid's  despair." 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FIFTH.  131 

CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FIFTH. 

Ending  that  speech  of  his,  the  robber  threw 
Both  hands  on  high,  and  made  the  sign  of  shame, 
Crying :  "  God !  take  it ;  this  I  mean  for  you." 
From  that  time  forth  the  snakes  my  friends  be- 
came : 
For  one,  as  if  to  say,  "  Blaspheme  no  more  I  " 
Entwined  his  neck  ;  his  arms  another  bound. 
Then  bored  him  through,  clinching  itself  before, 
That  neither  limb  could  stir,  so  tightly  wound. 
Ah,  thou  Pistoja,  thou  Pistoja !  why 
By  thine  own  counsels  is  it  not  decreed 
That  thou  shouldst  perish  and  in  ashes  lie. 
Gone  in  thy  guilt  so  far  beyond  thy  seed  ? 
Through  all  the  dingy  circles  down  in  hell 
I  saw  no  spirit  'gainst  his  God  so  proud : 
Not  from  the  walls  of  Thebes  the  wretch  that  fell ! 
He  fled  ;  nor  farther  utterance  was  allowed. 

Then  I  beheld  a  Centaur  swoln  with  wrath. 
Come  shouting :  *'  Where 's  that  hardened  sinner, 

where  ?  " 
I  guess  Maremma  fewer  serpents  hath. 
Fewer  than  dangling  round  his  flanks  he  bare, 
To  where  the  beast  and  human  aspect  blended  ; 
Behind  his  neck  and  o'er  his  shoulders  lay 


132  HELL. 

A  fiery  dragon,  with  his  wings  extended, 
Kindling  to  flame  all  shapes  that  cross  his  way. 
"  Lo !  that  is  Cacus,"  thus  my  Master  spake, 
"  Who  round  his  dwelling,  'neath  the  rocky  steep 
Of  Aventine,  oft  spread  a  bloody  lake : 
He  walks  not  in  the  path  his  fellows  keep. 
For  the  vast  herd  that  pastured  near  his  cave 
He  stole  by  trickery ;  great  Alcides  then 
Finished  his  frauds  with  mace  that  haply  gave 
A  hundred  strokes,  though  scarce  felt  he  the  ten." 

During  these  words  the  Centaur  galloped  by  ; 

And  underneath  us  three  new  spirits  came 

Of  whom  nor  Virgil  was  aware,  nor  I, 

Till,  "  Who  are  ye  ?  "  we  heard  the  band  exclaim : 

This  cut  our  story  short ;  and  for  a  space 

Gazing  we  stood,  on  them  alone  intent. 

I  knew  them  not ;  but,  as  is  oft  the  case, 

One  called  another's  name  by  accident. 

"  Ha  !    where   is    Cianfa   gone  ?  "    exclaimed   the 

shade  ; 
And  that  my  Guide  might  stand  attent  and  hark. 
My  finger  straightway  on  my  lip  I  laid. 
In  sign  of  silence.     Now,  O  reader !  mark ; 
And  if  my  tale  thou  slowly  shalt  receive. 
Thy  doubt  will  cause  in  me  no  great  surprise ; 
For  I,  who  saw  it,  hardly  can  believe : 
But  as  I  stared  on  them  with  lifted  eyes, 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-FIFTH.  133 

Swiftly  at  front  of  one  a  serpent  darts, 
With  six  feet  clinging  to  his  frame  throughout ; 
His  fore-feet  grasped  the  arms  ;  the  middle  parts 
With  his  mid-feet  he  closely  twined  about. 
Next  with  his  fangs  the  cheeks  he  did  assail ; 
His  hinder-feet  he  stretched  o'er  either  thigh, 
Between  them  thrusting  his  insidious  tail, 
Which  up  behind  the  loins  he  swung  on  high. 
Ivy  ne'er  coiled  about  a  tree  so  tight 
As  the  dread  reptile  his  own  members  twined 
Around  his  prey  ;  like  wax,  before  my  sight, 
Each  melted  into  each  with  hues  combined ; 
Neither  appeared  what  he  had  been  before : 
So,  with  papyrus  burning,  ere  it  fires, 
A  browner  color  spreads  the  surface  o'er. 
Not  black  as  yet,  although  the  white  expires. 
The  others  gazed,  and  each  exclaimed :  "  Ah  me, 
Agnello,  how  thou  changest  in  thy  frame ! 
Nor  two  nor  one  thou  seemest  now  to  be." 
Yet  now  a  single  head  the  two  became. 
Where  in  one  visage,  which  confounded  two. 
The  twain  were  blended  :  yea,  four  limbs  compressed 
Into  two  arms  their  lengths  before  my  view ; 
The  legs  and  thighs,  the  belly  and  the  chest. 
Became  new  members,  such  as  ne'er  were  seen. 
Nor  of  the  former  shape  appeared  a  trace  : 
And  the  perverted  form,  whose  mingled  mien 
Seemed  both,  yet  neither,  passed  with  lagging  pace. 


134  HELL. 

As  tlie  swift  lizard,  'neath  the  scourging  ray 

Of  clog-star  time,  seems  lightning,  if  by  chance, 

Flitting  from  hedge  to  hedge,  it  cross  the  way, 

So  did  a  fiery  little  adder  glance 

Straight  at  the  bowels  of  the  other  two, 

A  livid  snake,  and  black  as  pepper's  grain. 

One  wretch  it  fastened  on  and  stung  him  through, 

Just  there  where  first  our  nutriment  is  ta'en  ; 

Then  at  his  feet  its  own  stretched  length  it  cast. 

The  pierced  thief  eyed  the  monster,  but  was  dumb, 

And  yawning  stood  with  ankles  planted  fast. 

As  though  by  sleep  or  fever-fit  o'ercome. 

While  on  the  serpent  thus  his  gaze  he  bent, 

Its  own  the  reptile  on  the  sinner  fixed ; 

One  from  its  mouth,  one  from  his  bleeding  rent, 

Steamed  a  strong  smoke  that,  rising,  met  and  mixed. 

Let  Lucan  now  his  piteous  tale  give  o'er 
Of  poor  Sabellus,  and  Nasidius'  fate. 
And  list  my  story :  Ovid  now  no  more 
Of  Arethuse  and  Cadmus  need  relate : 
What  though  the  poet,  fabling  as  he  wont. 
Make  her  a  fountain,  him  a  snakish  brute  ? 
I  envy  not  his  art ;  for,  front  to  front. 
Two  natures  never  did  he  so  transmute 
That  each  its  form  should  for  another's  quit, 
As,  in  obedience  to  one  law,  these  two. 
Into  a  fork  the  serpent's  tail  was  split. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FIFTH.  135 

Tlie  wounded  shade  his  feet  together  drew  ; 
His  legs  and  thighs  so  closely  next  combined 
That  of  their  juncture  not  a  trace  was  left : 
The  shape  of  human  limbs  that  he  resigned 
The  snake's  tail  took,  and  into  legs  was  cleft. 
His  skin  grew  hard,  the  snake  had  scales  no  more ; 
I  saw  his  arms  within  his  armpits  sink : 
The  brute's  fore-paws,  that  had  been  short  before, 
Lengthened,  in  manner  even  as  those  did  shrink. 
Next,  the  hind-feet,  now  close  together  grown, 
Became  that  member  which  mankind  conceals  ; 
While  cloven  in  twain  the  wretch  beheld  his  own. 
Meantime  o'er  both  the  veiling  vapor  steals  : 
This  a  new  color  gives  and  makes  one  bald, 
But  on  the  other  generates  a  hair ; 
One  rose  upright,  the  other  groveling  crawled. 
Yet  kept  those  impious  lamps  their  mutual  stare, 
Under  the  which  each  creature  changed  his  mien ; 
For  the  face  drew,  in  him  that  stood  erect, 
Back  towards  the  temples,  where   two  ears  were 

seen 
From  the  sleek  joles'  exuberance  to  project : 
The  rest  thereof,  which  did  not  thus  retreat. 
Into  the  nasal  prominence  arose. 
And  swelled  the  lips  out,  as  for  lips  was  meet. 
Meanwhile  the  prostrate  thing  puts  forth  its  nose. 
And  even  as  its  horns  a  snail  draws  in, 
Contracts  into  its  head  those  human  ears  ; 


136  HELL. 

The  tongue,  that  whole  and  fit  for  speech  had  been, 
Is  cleft,  and  now  a  serpent's  fork  appears  ; 
The  serpent's  closeth,  and  the  smoke  subsides. 
The  soul  that  had  become  of  reptile  kind. 
Speeding,  with  hisses,  through  the  valley  glides, 
The  other,  sputtering  human  speech,  behind. 
Then  towards  the  snake  the  latter  turned  his  back. 
Fledged  with  new  shoulders,  and  addressed  the  one 
Who  stood  apart :  "  I  crave  that  o'er  this  track 
Buoso  may  crawl,  as  I  before  have  done." 

Thus  did  I  mark  the  shifting  ballast  change 
In  this  seventh  pit :  and  be  my  pen  excused 
For  wandering  somewhat  on  a  theme  so  strange  ; 
Mine  eyes  were  wildered  and  my  mind  confused, 
Yet  they  escaped  me  not.    I  marked  full  well 
The  limping  Puccio,  sole  one  of  the  three 
Comrades  that  came  first,  whom  no  change  befell ; 
And  one,  Gavilla's  town,  made  woe  for  thee ! 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SIXTH. 

Joy  to  thee,  Florence !  that  so  great  art  grown, 
Thy  wings  thou  spreadest  over  shore  and  sea. 
And  throughout  Hell  thy  name  is  widely  known. 
Among  these  thieves  five  such  were  found  by  me, 
Children  of  thine  in  whose  disgrace  I  share. 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-SIXTH.  137 

And  thou  from  them  shalt  no  great  glory  gain ! 
But,  if  our  morning  dreams  the  truth  declare, 
Thou  too,  ere  long,  shalt  suffer  all  the  bane 
That  Prato  prays  for,  not  to  say  worse  foes : 
Nay,  were  it  now,  too  early  't  would  not  be. 
Whatever  must  be,  would  it  were  !     Thy  woes 
Will  add  more  weight  to  that  of  years  on  me. 

Departing  hence,  my  Guide  with  toilsome  tread 
Up  the  projecting  stones,  which  served  before 
As  stairs  for  our  descent,  my  footsteps  led. 
The  crags  and  rocky  splinters  clambering  o'er ; 
Pursuing  thus  our  solitary  way, 
Our  feet  without  our  hands  availed  us  naught. 
It  grieved  me  then,  and  grieves  me  still  to-day, 
When  what  I  saw  returns  upon  my  thought ; 
And  with  unwonted  rein  I  hold  subdued 
My  genius,  lest  it  stray  from  virtue's  road, 
And  make  of  none  effect  whatever  good 
My  star  on  me,  or  Heaven,  may  have  bestowed. 

As  in  that  season,  when  with  less  concealed 

A  face  he  shines  who  floods  the  world  with  light. 

When  to  the  gnat  the  weary  fly  doth  yield. 

The  peasant,  resting  on  some  neighbor  height, 

Beholds  the  fireflies  in  the  vale  below. 

Wherein  he  ploughs,  or  trims  his  vines,  perchance, 

So  many  flames  this  eighth  pit,  all  aglow. 


188  HELL. 

Showed   when    its    depth    I   fathomed   with    my 

glance  ! 
And  as  whom  once  the  avenging  bears  befriended 
Beheld  Elijah's  chariot  whirled  on  high, 
When  up  to  Heaven  the  soaring  steeds  ascended, 
And  he  in  vain  pursued  them  with  his  eye, 
Since  he  could  only  see  the  leaping  flame, 
As  Heavenward  like  a  little  cloud  it  went ; 
Thus  through  the  gulf,  in  aspect  just  the  same. 
Glided  these  fires,  but  hid  the  prey  they  pent ; 
For  every  flame  a  sinner  folded  in. 
I  stood  so  bending  o'er  the  bridge,  to  look. 
That  I  had  fallen,  though  pushed  I  had  not  been, 
Save  that  such  grasp  of  a  rough  crag  I  took. 
My  Guide,  who  marked  me  thus  intently  gaze. 
Said  :  "In  those  fires  the  spirits  are  confined. 
Each  in  his  garment  of  consuming  blaze." 
"  Master,"  I  answered,  "  thou  confirm' st  my  mind  : 
Even  now  that  thought  I  was  about  to  speak ; 
But  who  is  tenant,  say,  of  yonder  fire 
That  rises  there  with  a  divided  peak. 
As  't  were  the  Theban  brothers'  funeral  pyre  ?  " 
He  answered  me  :  "  Within  that  martyrdom 
The  great  Ulysses  burns  with  Diomed : 
Together  thus  to  vengeance  they  have  come. 
As  once,  on  earth,  to  wrathful  deeds  they  sped. 
And  in  their  flame  full  bitterly  they  groan 
The  stratagem  of  that  famed  wooden  steed. 


CANTO   THE    TWENTY-SIXTH.  139 

By  means  whereof  the  gate  was  open  thrown 

Whence  issued  forth  the  noble  Roman  seed. 

There  for  that  craft  whence,  even  of  life  bereft, 

Deidamia  still  bewails  her  lord. 

Her  lost  Achilles ;  yea,  and  for  the  theft 

Of  Troy's  Palladimn,  they  have  meet  reward." 

"  Master,"  I  said,  "  if,  in  that  flame  of  theirs 

That  sparkleth  so,  they  have  the  power  of  speech, 

I  pray,  and  pray  thee  with  a  thousand  prayers. 

That  thou  refuse  not  what  I  now  beseech. 

Wait  till  the  horned  flame  this  way  shall  move ; 

See  with  what  eagerness  I  towards  it  bend." 

"  Thy  prayer,"  he  answered,  "  greatly  I  approve, 

And  to  thy  wish  a  large  acceptance  lend. 

But  let  thy  tongue  from  further  talk  refrain ; 

Leave  me  to  parley,  for  I  well  divine 

All  thy  desire  :  they  haply  might  disdain. 

For  they  were  Grecians,  any  word  of  thine." 

So  when  the  flame  had  moved  along  to  where 

The  time  and  place  seemed  fitting  to  my  Guide, 

I  heard  him  in  this  form  address  the  pair ; 

''  Stay,  O  ye  twain  that  in  one  fire  abide ! 

If  in  my  life  I  was  deserving  aught, 

If  much  or  little  I  deserved  of  you 

\\Tien  in  the  world  my  lofty  verse  I  wrought. 

Let  one  his  wanderings,  to  his  death,  tell  through." 


140  HELL. 

The  larger  horn  of  that  old  flame  began 

To  curl  and  quiver,  and  a  murmur  woke, 

As  when  the  wind  a  fluttering  fire  doth  fan. 

Then,  as  it  were  the  very  tongue  that  spoke, 

Swaying  its  summit  to  and  fro,  it  sent 

This   utterance  forth :   "  When,   for    a   year   and 

more, 
Circe  had  held  me  near  Gaeta  pent, 
Ere  yet  j^neas  had  so  named  the  shore, 
I  'scaped  her  spell ;  but  not  my  gentle  boy, 
Nor  pious  reverence  for  mine  aged  sire, 
Nor  the  due  love  that  should  have  warmed  with  joy 
My  dear  Penelope,  could  quell  the  fire 
Of  my  deep  wish  the  world  and  human  worth. 
And  human  vices,  too,  to  understand  : 
But  on  the  broad,  high  seas  I  ventured  forth 
With  one  sole  vessel,  and  that  little  band 
Who  ne'er  deserted  my  attempt  the  while  ; 
And  coasted  either  shore  as  far  as  Spain, 
Far  as  Morocco,  past  Sardinia's  isle. 
And  all  the  rest  bathed  round  there  by  the  main. 

"  At  last,  when  old  and  slow  with  life's  decline. 

We  reached  the  strait  where  Hercules,  of  yore. 

His  boundary  set,  in  everlasting  sign 

That  none  the  ocean  further  should  explore, 

On  the  right  hand  receding  Seville  lay  ; 

On  the  left,  Ceuta  sank  in  ocean's  breast. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SIXTH.  141 

Then  I :  '  O  brothers  who  have  stemmed  your  wav 
Through  many  thousand  perils  to  the  west ! 
To  this  brief  vigil  which  remains  to  run 
Of  your  worn  senses,  grudge  not,  I  entreat, 
To  add  the  experience,  following  still  the  sun^ 
Of  yonder  world  untrod  by  mortal  feet. 
Consider,  men,  the  seed  from  which  ye  grew ! 
To  live  like  brutes  ye  surely  were  not  formed, 
But  virtue  still,  and  knowledge,  to  pursue.' 
With   this   brief    speech   my   comrades'   minds   I 

warmed, 
Till  for  the  voyage  they  so  keenly  yearned 
To  hold  them  back  I  vainly  had  essayed  ; 
So  to  the  morn  our  stern  again  was  turned 
For  the  mad  flight,  and  wings  of  oars  we  made. 
Still  towards  the  left  our  constant  course  we  steered, 
Till  night  saw  all  the  stars  that  spangle  o'er 
The  other  pole,  and  ours  no  longer  reared 
Its  glittering  host  above  the  ocean  floor. 

''  Five  times  the  moon  had  now  renewed  her  ray, 
Five  times  the  light  had  failed  beneath  her  rim, 
Since  first  we  entered  on  our  lofty  way, 
When  lo  !  a  mountain,  in  the  distance,  dim ; 
So  high  a  peak  before  I  never  saw. 
We  joyed,  but  soon  our  joy  became  lament ; 
For  from  the  new-found  land  arose  a  flaw, 
That  on  our  vessel's  bow  its  fury  spent. 


142  HELL. 

Three  times  witli  all  tlie  waves  it  whirled  us  round ; 
At  the  fourth  whirl  the  stern  was  lifted  high ; 
Down  went  the  prow,  as  best  by  Him  was  found  ! 
And  o'er  our  heads  the  ocean  closed  for  aye." 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SEVENTH. 

Now,  for  the  term  of  its  discourse  was  spent, 
Erect  and  quiet  rose  the  steadfast  flame, 
Then  left  us,  with  the  gentle  Bard's  consent ; 
When  lo  !   beliind  the  first  another  came. 
And  by  a  mingled  noise  therefrom  that  burst 
Attracted  towards  its  top  our  wandering  eyes. 
Like  the  Sicilian  bull  that  bellowed  first. 
As  just  it  was,  with  its  inventor's  cries. 
Whose  wicked  file  had  shaped  the  monstrous  mass, 
Aiid  by  the  groaning  of  the  wretch  within 
Appeared,  though  fashioned  but  of  senseless  brass. 
As  though  itseK  had  pierced  with  anguish  been  ; 
Even  thus,  before  the  woeful  words  had  found 
Passage  or  vent,  in  struggling  from  their  source, 
The  fire  to  its  own  language  changed  the  somid. 
Until  they  reached  the  summit  in  their  course. 

But  to  that  point  as  soon  as  they  had  striven. 

Causing  the  same  vibration  in  the  peak 

Which,  on  their  way,  the  tongue  within  had  given. 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-SEVENTH.       143 

We  heard  this  voice  :   "  O  thou  to  whom  I  speak  ! 
Who  didst  thyself,  even  now,  use  Lombard  speech, 
Saying,  '  Depart !  I  trouble  thee  no  more ; ' 
Though  haply  somewhat  late  thine  ear  I  reach, 
To  speak  with  me  have  patience,  I  implore. 
See,  I  am  patient,  burning  as  I  stand : 
If  thou  art  newly  fallen  to  breathe  the  air 
Of  this  blind  world  from  Latium's  pleasant  land, 
Whence  all  the  burden  of  my  sins.  I  bear, 
Tell  me  if  now  Romagna's  tribes  remain 
At  peace,  or  war ;  for  I  was  of  the  hills 
Betwixt  Urbino  and  the  mountain-chain 
Whence  Tiber  first  unlocks  his  infant  rills." 

Bending  I  stood  to  listen  ;  but  my  Guide 

Touched  my  side,  saying  :  "  Speak  unto  him  thou ; 

He  is  Italian."     Instant  I  replied 

Thus,  as  I  stood  prepared  to,  even  now : 

"  O  hidden  spirit !  thy  Romagna  ne'er 

Was  free  from  war  in  her  own  tyrants'  hearts ; 

Nor  is  it  now :  yet,  when  I  came  from  there. 

No  open  strife  was  ravaging  those  parts. 

In  her  old  state  Ravenna  still  abides 

(Polenta's  eagle  making  there  his  nest. 

So  that  even  Cervia  with  his  wings  he  hides). 

And  the  brave  town  that  stood  so  long  a  test. 

And  piled  in  bloody  heaps  the  Frenclnnen  romid, 

To  the  Green  Lion's  gripe  at  last  is  won. 


144  HELL. 

Verruchio's  mastiffs,  that  Montagna  found 
Such  cruel  keepers,  both  the  sire  and  son, 
Still,  where  they  wont,  their  fangs  for  augers  wield ; 
While,  shifting  sides,  from  midsummer  to  cold, 
The  Lion  couched  upon  an  argent  field 
Lamone's  and  Santerno's  town  doth  hold. 
But  she  whose  flank  is  washed  by  Savio's  flow, 
Even  as  her  site  is,  in  the  middle  way 
Betwixt  the  mountain  and  the  plain  below. 
Dwells  between  freedom  and  a  tyrant's  sway. 
Now,  who  thou  art,  I  pray  thee  frankly  own  ! 
Be  not  more  hard  than  other  souls  have  been : 
So  may  thy  name  on  earth  be  widely  known." 

The  flame  first  roared  awhile  its  wonted  din  ; 
Then,  in  its  fashion,  as  the  summit  played 
From  side  to  side,  breathed  to  me  this  reply : 
"  Did  I  believe  that  my  response  were  made 
To  one  returning  to  the  world  on  high. 
This  flame  of  mine  should  motionless  remain ; 
But  since  none  ever  did  his  way  retrace, 
If  truth  I  hear,  from  this  abyss  of  pain 
I  give  thee  answer,  fearing  no  disgrace. 

"  I  was  a  soldier,  then  a  corded  friar ; 

So  girdled,  thinking  meet  amends  to  make : 

And  surely  this  had  jDroved  no  vain  desire. 

But  for  the  great  High  Priest,  whom  curses  take ! 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-SEVENTH.       145 

'T  was  he  seduced  me  to  my  sins  once  more. 
Hear  how  and  why  ;  thy  hearing  it  is  worth. 
While  I  my  bones  and  pulpy  members  wore, 
Which  my  good  mother  gave  me  at  my  birth, 
Mine  was  the  fox's,  not  the  lion's  part : 
I  knew  all  tricks,  all  covert  ways  of  fraud. 
And  with  such  cunning  carried  out  their  art. 
To  the  world's  end  my  fame  was  noised  abroad. 
But  when  I  saw  that  part  of  life  begin 
Where  it  behoveth  every  man  to  strike 
His  weary  sails,  and  take  his  halyards  in. 
What  most  had  pleased  now  bred  in  me  dislike. 
Therefore  in  penitence  I  bent  my  knees. 
Confessed,  woe  's  me !  and  might  have  grace  ob- 
tained. 
But  for  that  prince  of  modern  Pharisees, 
Who  near  the  Lateran  at  war  remained  ; 
Not  now  with  Jews  nor  Saracens,  for  all 
His  foes  were  Christians  :  none  amid  the  band 
Had  ever  been  to  conquer  Acre's  wall. 
Or  play  the  merchant  in  the  Sultan's  land. 
He  his  high  office  and  his  holy  rank 
Little  regarded,  nor  that  rope  of  mine 
Which  wont  to  make  its  fasting  wearers  lank. 
But  in  Soracte's  cave  as  Constantine 
Besought  Sylvester's  aid  to  set  him  free 
From  leprosy,  even  so  to  get  release 
From  his  proud  fever  he  considted  me 


146  HELL. 

As  his  physician  ;  but  I  held  my  peace. 

For  scarcely  sober  seemed  his  words  :  '  From  now 

I  do  absolve  thee  ;  be  no  more  afraid ; ' 

He  thus  proceeded :  '  only  teach  me  how 

May  Palestrina  in  the  dust  be  laid. 

Of  Heaven  thou  know'st  I  hold  the  double  keys, 

To  lock  and  loose,  by  him  too  lightly  prized 

Who  went  before  me.'     Arguments  like  these 

Pushed  me  to  where  some  answer  seemed  advised. 

'  Father,'  I  said,  *  the  sin  wherein  I  fall 

Since  thou,  I  know,  hast  power  to  purge  away, 

Be  great  in  promise,  in  performance  small : 

So  shalt  thou  triumph  in  thy  seat  of  sway.' 

"  Saint  Francis  came  my  parted  soul  to  fetch  ; 

But  one  of  those  black-visaged  cherubs  cried : 

*  Hold   oif    your   hands !    nor   wrong   me    of    the 

wretch  : 
Down  he  must  sink,  and  with  my  slaves  abide ; 
Yea,  for  the  fraudident  advice  he  gave. 
Since  which  I  ever  at  his  hair  have  been. 
No  pardon  an  impenitent  can  save. 
Nor  can  one  both  repent,  yet  wish  to  sin, 
For  contradiction  will  not  this  allow.' 
Ah,   wretched    me !    my    soul    what    shuddering 

thrilled 
When,  seizing  me,  he  muttered  :  '  Haply  thou 
Didst  not  believe  me  thus  in  logic  skilled  ! ' 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-EIGHTH.         147 

To  Minos  then  he  hurried  me,  who  tied 
His  rigid  back  eight  times  with  circling  tail, 
And  biting  it,  in  his  great  fury,  cried : 
'  This  guilty  wretch  the  stealing  fire  must  veil !  ' 
So  to  perdition,  as  thou  seest,  I  came. 
And  go  with  heart  all  rancor,  clad  in  fire." 
Here,  having  ended  thus,  the  moaning  flame 
Went  writhing,  tossing  up  his  pointed  spire. 

But  we  passed  on,  my  Guide  and  I,  to  where 
O'er  the  next  moat  another  arch  was  built ; 
Herein  their  chastisement  those  wretches  bear 
Who,  sowing  discord,  reaped  a  load  of  guilt. 


CANTO   THE  TWENTY-EIGHTH. 

Who,  even  in  language  unrestrained  by  law, 
Though  telling  oft,  could  fully  tell  of  all 
The  sights  of  blood,  the  ghastly  wounds  I  saw  ? 
Far  short  of  truth  sure  every  tongue  must  fall : 
Our  mind  and  speech  could  ne'er  such  theme  com- 
mand. 
For  should  the  multitude  arise  once  more 
That  in  Apulia's  many-fortuned  land 
(Whose   battlefields    were    moistened   with    their 

gore) 
The  Romans  slew,  and  in  that  war  so  long 


148  HELL. 

In  which,  as  Livy  the  unerring  writes, 

Such  spoil  of  rings  was  made ;  should  aU  the  throng 

That  fell  by  Robert  Guiscard  and  his  knights, 

With  all  whose  bones  even  yet  in  heaps  are  found 

At  Ceperan,  where  each  Apulian  broke 

His  faith,  and  where  on  Tagiiacozzo's  ground 

Old  Alard  won  the  day,  without  a  stroke. 

Come  back  together,  and  should  one  expose 

His  mangled    stump,    and   one   his   limb   pierced 

through, 
All  were  as  nothing  to  the  hideous  woes 
Which  this  ninth  pit  presented  to  my  view  ! 

A  cooper's  vessel  that  by  chance  hath  been 
Either  of  middle-piece  or  cant-piece  reft. 
Gapes  not  so  wide  as  one  that,  from  his  chin, 
I  noticed  lengthwise  through  his  carcass  cleft. 
His  entrails  dangled  down  betwixt  his  thighs ; 
His  liver,  too,  and  that  foul  bag  was  seen 
That  changeth  all  it  gets  in  loathsome  wise. 
And  while  I  looked,  with  eager  eyes  and  keen. 
My  gaze  returning,  with  his  hands  he  tore 
His  breast,  and  cried :  "  Look,  how  myself  I  rend ! 
See  Mahomet  mangled !    He  who  goes  before. 
Groaning  and  gashed,  was  Ali  once,  my  friend. 

"  From  chin  to  crown  he  bears  a  cloven  face  ; 
And  all  the  rest  whom  thou  beholdest  here 


CANTO   THE    TWENTY-EIGHTH.        149 

Sowed  schism  and  scandals  in  their  earthly  race, 

And  therefore  sundered  go  as  they  apjjear. 

A  fiend  that  cleaves  us  waits  here  at  our  back, 

With  his  fell  sword  renewing  still  the  wound 

In  each  of  this  poor  lacerated  pack, 

When  we  have  compassed  our  distressful  round : 

The  wounds  are  healed  ere  we  repass  his  blow. 

But  who  art  thou,  on  yonder  rock  bemused. 

As  haply  to  delay  the  destined  woe 

For  sins  whereof  thyself  thou  hast  accused  ?  " 

*'  Death  has  not  reached  him  yet,"  my  Lord  replied, 
"  Nor  down  to  torment  leadeth  sin  his  soul ; 
But  I,  who  am  dead,  him  through  Hell  must  guide. 
From  round  to  round,  that  he  may  know  the  whole : 
This  is  as  true  as  that  I  speak  to  thee." 
At  this,  above  an  hundred  of  the  train 
Stopped  in  the  fosse  to  fix  their  gaze  on  me. 
Through  mere  amaze  forgetful  of  their  pain. 

"  Then  tell  Dolcino,  thou  who  shortly  mayst 
Behold  the  sun,  to  store  his  camp  with  food 
(Unless  down  here  he  after  me  would  haste), 
Lest  by  the  stress  of  snows  he  be  subdued, 
And  yield  a  triumph  to  Novara's  race. 
Which  else  no  light-won  victory  might  prove." 
This  word  said  Mahomet,  with  suspended  pace, 
Lifting  one  foot  as  if  about  to  move ; 


150  HELL. 

To  earth  he  pressed  it  then,  nor  longer  stopped. 
Meanwhile  another,  with  his  gullet  cleft. 
And  his  nose  level  with  his  eyebrows  lopped, 
And  unto  whom  one  only  ear  was  left. 
Stayed  with  the  rest,  his  eyes  with  wonder  wide 
Staring  upon  me ;   and  before  the  rest 
Opening  his  throat  that  was  all  over  dyed 
YermiKon,  unto  me  these  words  addressed : 

"  Thou  whom  no  crime  to  punishment  hath  brought, 
And  whom  in  Latium  I  have  seen  of  old. 
Unless  too  strong  resemblance  cheat  my  thought ! 
If  e'er  that  gentle  plain  thou  mayst  behold 
That  from  Vercelli  slopes  to  Marcabo, 
Remember  Pier  da  Medicina  there  ; 
Ay,  and  let  Fano's  two  best  townsmen  know. 
To  Angiolello  and  Sir  Guy  declare 
That,  if  in  Hell  our  foresight  be  not  vain. 
Hard  by  Cattolica  they  shall  be  flung 
Forth  from  their  vessel  into  Adria's  main. 
By  a  fell  tyrant  snared,  of  treacherous  tongue. 
Never  did  Neptune,  'twixt  Majorca's  isle 
And  that  of  Cyprus,  witness  wrong  like  this  ; 
Never  by  pirates  wrought  so  base  a  wile. 
Not  even  that  faithless  race  of  Argolis. 
That  one-eyed  traitor,  he  who  holds  in  thrall 
The  land  which  one  who  walketh  here  with  me 
Would  fain  have  never  looked  upon,  shall  call 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-EIGHTH.         151 

These  two  to  council,  making  that  his  plea  ; 
Then  so  contrive  that  neither  vow  nor  prayer 
Shall  they  need  further  'gainst  Focara's  wind." 
"  Show  me,"  said  I,  "  if  thou  wouldst  have  me  bear 
Tidings  of  thee  above,  among  mankind. 
Who  's    he    in  whom  that  sight   such  grief  doth 

cause  ?  " 
At  this  the  sinner,  seizing  upon  one 
Of  his  companions,  forced  apart  his  jaws. 
And  cried  :  "  Behold  him !  utterance  he  hath  none. 
This  outcast,  quelling  Caesar's  doubt,  declared 
That  ruin  ever  waited  on  delay 
When  every  thing  for  action  was  prepared." 

Oh,  how  poor  Curio  quivered  with  dismay, 
His  throat  bereft  of  that  perfidious  tongue 
Wherewith  he  dared  such  madness  to  incite ! 
Meanwhile  one  wretch,  whose  hands  were  wanting, 

flung 
The  mangled  stumps  up  through  the  lurid  light. 
Crying,  as  on  his  face  their  foul  drops  blended : 
"  Give  Mosca  too  in  thy  remembrance  place. 
Who  said,  alas  !  '  A  thing  once  done  is  ended,' 
Words  that  sowed  trouble  for  the  Tuscan  race." 
"  And  thine  own  tribe's  destruction !  "  added  I : 
With  which  pang  heaped  on  pain,  he  strode  along 
Like  one  to  madness  driven  by  misery. 
But  I  remained  to  gaze  upon  the  throng, 


152  HELL. 

And  saw  what  I  without  more  proof  might  quail 
Merely  to  tell,  but  conscience  aids  me  here, 
The  good  companion  that,  beneath  the  mail 
Of  feeling  fatJtless,  keeps  men  free  from  fear, 

I  truly  saw,  and  still  it  haunts  my  view, 

A  headless  body,  moving  with  like  tread 

As  moved  the  others  of  that  mangled  crew ; 

And  in  his  hand  he  bare  his  own  lopt  head. 

As  't  were  a  lantern,  dangling  by  the  hair ; 

Swinging  he  held  it,  and  it  cried,  "  O  me !  " 

As  full  on  me  it  fixed  a  piteous  stare. 

Thus  his  own  lamp  unto  himself  was  he, 

And  two  in  one  there  were,  and  one  in  two : 

How  that  can  be  He  knows  who  orders  thus. 

And  to  the  bridge's  foot  as  close  he  drew. 

Raising  his  arm  with  all  the  head  to  us. 

Nigh  to  our  ears  he  brought  these  words  :  "  O  thou, 

Who  walk'st,    a   breathing   man,   through   Hell's 

abyss 
To  view  the  dead,  behold  this  torment  now, 
And  see  if  any  be  so  great  as  this ! 
Know  that  I  am  (so  mayst  thou,  as  I  crave, 
Bear  tidings  of  me  to  the  upper  earth !) 
Bertram  de  Born,  the  councilor  who  gave 
Such  ill  advice  to  John  of  royal  birth. 
I  put  rebellion  'twixt  the  son  and  sire : 
Achitophel  with  more  malignant  art 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-NINTH.  153 

Did  not  spur  Absalom  to  wrath,  nor  fire 
With  equal  hatred  kingly  David's  heart. 
For  parting  those  whom  love  did  so  intwine 
I  bear  my  brain,  ah !  severed  from  its  source, 
Which  yet  remaineth  in  this  trunk  of  mine : 
Thus  retribution  holds  in  me  its  course." 


CANTO  THE  TWENTY-NINTH. 

Mine  eyes  were  so  inebriate  now  with  grief 
At  the  vast  numbers  gashed  in  divers  ways. 
They  longed  to  wait,  and,  weeping,  find  relief. 
But  Virgil  said :  "What  so  attracts  thy  gaze  ? 
Why  stand'st  thou  staring  fixedly  below 
At  yonder  wretched  mutilated  ghosts  ? 
None  of  the  other  pits  detained  thee  so. 
Consider,  if  thou  think  to  count  their  hosts, 
This  valley  two  and  twenty  miles  doth  wind ; 
Even  now  the  moon  beneath  our  feet  must  be  : 
Our  time  is  little  that  remains  assigned, 
And  more  than  what  thou  seest  remains  to  see." 
"  Hadst  thou  observed  the  cause  of  my  delay. 
When  I  looked  down  with  vision  so  intent. 
Thou  mightst  have  still  permitted  me  to  stay  :  " 
I  made  this  answer,  following  as  he  went, 
And  added  :  "  In  that  don  o'er  which  I  stood. 
Watching  the  crowd  with  so  intent  a  stare. 


154  HELL. 

I  do  believe  a  spirit  of  my  blood 
Groans   for   the   guilt   wliicli   costs   so  dear  down 
there." 

The  Master  then  :  "Fret  not  thy  heart  for  him  ; 

Note  something  else,  and  let  that  caitiff  be  : 

At  the  bridge  foot  I  marked  him,  stern  and  grim, 

With  threatening  finger  fiercely  point  at  thee. 

I  overheard  them  call  his  name,  and  say 

Geri  del  Bello :  thou  wast  rapt  so  long 

With  him  that  erst  held  Hautefort  in  his  sway. 

Thou  didst  not  heed  him,  and  he  joined  his  throng." 

"  His  death  by  violence,  my  Guide,"  said  I, 

"  Which  to  this  day  doth  unavenged  remain 

By  any  of  his  kindred,  shamed  thereby. 

Inspired  him,  I  suppose,  with  such  disdain 

That  he  passed  by  me  with  a  silent  spite  ; 

And  all  the  more  I  pity  him."     With  this 

We  reached  the  first  point,  that  with  stronger  light 

Would,  to  the  bottom,  show  the  next  abyss. 

O'er  Malebolge's  final  cloister  here 

We  stood,  so  all  the  brotherhood  therein 

Might   meet  our  gaze:    strange  moanings  pierced 

mine  ear. 
As  arrows  steeled  with  pity  they  had  been. 
I  put  my  hands  upon  mine  ears  :  such  wail 
As  woidd  be  heard  if  all  the  dying  men 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-NINTH.         155 

From  the  pest-houses  of  Chiana's  vale, 

And  all  the  sick  of  the  Maremma's  fen, 

And  of  Sardinia's  isle,  betwixt  July 

And  autumn,  should  be  tumbled  in  one  trench 

Howling  together,  such  was  here  the  cry, 

And  like  the  smell  of  festering  limbs  the  stench» 

Descending  now,  we  reached  the  closing  bank 
Of  that  long  rocky  bridge,  still  to  left  hand  : 
Here  with  more  vivid  force  my  vision  sank 
Down  to  the  bottom,  and  the  cavern  scanned. 
Herein  the  handmaid  of  the  Most  High  Lord, 
Justice  Infallible,  requites  the  sin 
Of  every  forger  she  doth  here  record. 
And  much  I  doubt  if  greater  grief  had  been 
To  see  JEgina's  people  all  infirm. 
When  so  malignant  was  the  sickly  air 
That  every  creature,  to  the  little  worm, 
Perished,  and  afterwards,  as  bards  declare, 
The  ancient  races  were  restored  again 
From  seed  of  ants,  than  here  it  was  to  view 
The  spirits  languishing  in  that  dark  glen, 
Heaped  round  in  scattered  groups,  a  ghastly  creWo 

One  o'er  the  shoulders  of  his  fellow  lay ; 
One  o'er  another's  belly ;  and  a  third 
Crawled  on  all  fours  along  his  dismal  way  : 
We  passed  them  step  by  step,  without  a  word 


156  HELL. 

Looking,  and  listening  to  the  leprous  pack, 
Not  one  of  whom  could  lift  liis  feeble  form. 
And  two  I  saw  there,  leaning  back  to  back, 
Propped  like  a  pair  of  dishes  put  to  warm. 

O'er  them  from  head  to  foot  a  scurvy  spread : 

Nor  did  I  ever  see  a  groom  so  ply 

His  currycomb,  who  longed  to  taste  his  bed. 

Or  whose  impatient  lord  stood  waiting  by, 

As  each  full  oft  with  his  remorseless  nails 

Clawed  his  own  hide,  so  great  a  rage  he  felt 

Of  the  fell  itch  for  which  naught  else  avails. 

And  wrenched  the  scabs  off  from  his  tettered  pelt, 

As  a  knife  scrapeth  from  a  bream  the  scales. 

Or  other  fish  with  scales  of  larger  make. 

"  O  thou  whose  hand  thy  body  thus  unmails," 

These  words  to  one  of  them  my  Leader  spake, 

"  Who  mak'st  a  forceps  of  thy  fingers !  say 

If  haply  any  Latian  spirit  lurk 

Among  the  rest  within  there  ;  so  for  aye 

May  thy  nails  last  thee  for  this  loathsome  work." 

"  We  are  Italians  both,  whom  thou  seest  thus 

Ravaged  and  raw,"  one  wept  as  he  replied ; 

"  But  who  art  thou  that  hast  inquired  of  us  ?  " 

Then  to  the  wretch  this  answer  made  my  Guide  : 

"  I  with  this  living  man  am  one  that  go. 
From  steep  to  steep,  descendmg  on  my  way, 


CANTO   THE    TWENTY-NINTH.         157 

And  him  this  pit  of  Hell  I  mean  to  show." 
At  this  they  sundered  from  their  mutual  stay, 
And  each  towards  me  turned  trembling,  with  the 

rest 
That  indirectly  Virgil's  answer  caught. 
Then  my  good  Master  me  alone  addressed. 
Saying :  "  Speak  to  them,   if   thou   wouldst,    thy 

thought." 

"  So  may  your  memory,"  then  I  thus  began, 

"  Flourish  on  earth  for  many  suns,  and  ne'er 

By  time  be  stolen  from  out  the  mind  of  man, 

As  ye  your  name  and  nation  shall  declare : 

Spite  of  this  hideous  torment  let  me  know. 

Nor  dread  to  tell."     This  answer  one  returned: 

"  Arezzo  was  my  birthplace  :   Albero, 

He  of  Sienna,  caused  me  to  be  burned ; 

But  what  I  died  for  hath  not  brought  me  here. 

'T  is  true  I  told  him,  speaking  but  in  jest. 

That  I  with  wings  my  way  through  air  could  steer : 

Whereat  the  fool,  all  wonder,  made  request 

That  him  this  art  of  soaring  I  would  show ; 

And  for  no  cause  but  that  I  could  not  make 

Of  him  a  Daedalus,  he  managed  so 

That  his  supposed  sire  sent  me  to  the  stake. 

But  me  to  this  last  cavern  of  the  ten 

Minos,  the  judge  who  cannot  err,  hath  doomed, 

Because  I  practiced  alchemy  with  men." 


158  HELL. 

Here  turning  to  the  Poet,  I  resumed : 
"  Was  ever  nation  like  Sienna's  vain  ? 
Surely  the  French  are  not  so  vain  a  tribe." 

That  other  leper  heard  my  taimting  strain, 
And  then  returned  this  answer  to  my  gibe : 
"  Save  Stricca,  he  so  frugally  that  spent ; 
And  saving  Niccolo,  who  used  the  first 
The  rich  clove-dressing  which  he  did  invent, 
In  the  rank  garden  where  his  kind  is  nurst ; 
And  save  the  others  of  that  spendthrift  band 
'Mongst   whom  his   wealth   of   vineyards   and  of 

shade 
Caccia  d'  Asciano  scattered  with  light  hand. 
And  Abbagliato  his  good  sense  displayed ! 
But  wouldst  thou  know  who  seconds  thus  the  spite 
Of  thy  hard  speech  against  Sienna's  race, 
Sharpen  thine  eye,  and  fix  on  me  thy  sight, 
That  thou  more  fairly  mayst  peruse  my  face. 
So  shalt  thou  see  I  am  Capocchio's  ghost, 
He  that  by  alchemy  false  metals  made ; 
And  if  I  scan  thee  rightly,  well  thou  know'st 
How  Nature's  ape  right  cunningly  I  played." 


CANTO    THE    THIRTIETH.  159 

CANTO   THE   THIRTIETH. 

When  Juno,  stung  through  Semele,  was  moved 

To  such  a  hatred  of  her  Theban  race, 

As  more  than  one  malign  occasion  proved, 

Such  frenzy  fell  upon  King  Athamas 

That  he  shrieked  out,  when  once  his  wife  he  met, 

To  either  hand  of  whom  an  infant  clung : 

"  Ho  !  spread  for  yonder  lioness  the  net, 

That  I  may  snare  the  mother  and  her  young." 

Then  flinging  forth  his  pitiless  claws,  he  took 

Little  Learchus ;  whirled  him  round  and  round. 

And  dashed  the  body  lifeless  on  a  rock, 

While  she  herself  and  other  offspring  drowned. 

And  when  harsh  fortune  shattered  so  the  pride 

Which  dared  do  all  things,  of  the  Trojan  race. 

That  with  their  king  their  kingdom  also  died  ; 

Hecuba,  widowed,  captive,  in  disgrace, 

After  that  her  Polyxena  in  gore 

She  had  beheld,  and,  grief -worn  mother  !  marked 

Her  Polydorus  dead  upon  the  shore. 

Mad  with  her  misery,  like  a  mastiff  barked 

(Such  power  had  anguish  to  distort  her  mind). 

But  furies,  Theban  or  of  Troy,  not  then 

Nor  were  seen  ever,  in  so  fell  a  kind, 

Goading  even  beasts,  much  less  the  limbs  of  men. 

As  in  two  ghosts  that  I  saw  rushing  by, 


160  HELL. 

Naked  and  pale,  and  snapping  as  they  sprang, 

Mad  as  a  boar-pig  shut  out  from  the  sty. 

One  in  Capocchio's  neck-joint  stuck  his  fang, 

Dragging  him  down,  until  his  belly  grated 

The  solid  bottom,  while  the  Aretine 

Exclaimed  to  me,  as  trembling  he  awaited  : 

"  Yon  sprite  's  Gian  Schicchi ;    with  such  frenzied 

mien 
He  rages  round,  assaulting  this  poor  pack." 
"  Oh !  "  answered  I ;  "  have  patience  yet,  I  pray, 
So  may  its  teeth  have  mercy  on  thy  back  : 
Who  is  yon  other  ?    Ere  it  vanish,  say." 

And  he  to  me  :  "  Thou  seest  the  ancient  shade 
Of  sinful  Myrrha,  one  that,  overwarm 
With  love  not  filial  for  her  father,  made 
Wanton  with  him,  in  counterfeited  form ; 
Even  as  yon  other,  that  he  might  obtain 
The  lady  of  the  herd,  with  wicked  skill 
Buoso  Donati's  person  dared  to  feign, 
Fixing  a  false  seal  to  a  forged  will." 
And  when  that  furious  pair  had  passed  along 
Whom  I  had  kept  mine  eye  so  bent  on  seeing, 
I  turned  its  gaze  to  note  the  following  throng 
Of  ill-born  wretches  ;  and  beheld  a  being 
Shaped  like  a  lute,  had  but  the  groin  been  cleft 
From  his  forked  portion.     Dropsy's  heavy  woe. 
By  which  our  human  members  are  bereft, 


CANTO    THE    THIRTIETH.  161 

Through  perverse  humors,  of  proportion  so 
That  none  betwixt  the  face  and  paunch  remains, 
Forced  him  to  keep  his  parching  lips  asunder. 
As  hectic  sufferers  do,  whom  thirst  constrains 
To  lift  the  upper  one,  and  drop  the  under. 

"  O  ye  that  stand  there,  and  I  know  not  why, 

Without  a  penance,  in  this  world  of  gloom !  " 

He  said  to  us,  "  give  heed  with  ear  and  eye 

To  Master  Adam's  miserable  doom  : 

On  earth  of  all  I  wished  I  had  my  fill, 

And  now,  alas  !  one  drop  of  water  crave. 

The  little  brooks  that  every  verdurous  hill 

Of  Casentino  pours  to  Arno's  wave. 

Freshening  the  soft,  cool  channels  where  they  glide, 

Still  haunt  my  vision,  nor  in  vain  do  haunt ; 

Far  more  by  their  dear  image  I  am  dried 

Than  by  this  drouth  which  makes  my  visage  gaunt. 

Stern  Justice  thus  doth  rigidly  devise 

That  the  same  place  wherein  I  sinned  should  be 

The  occasion  still  of  never-ceasing  sighs ; 

For  there  Romena  stands,  dread  name  for  me ! 

'T  was  there  I  falsified  the  metal's  worth 

On  which  the  Baptist's  impress  had  been  made. 

Wherefore  I  left  my  body  burned  on  earth : 

But  might  I  see  down  here  the  suffering  shade 

Of  Alexander,  or  the  County  Guy, 

Ay,  or  their  brother's,  I  'd  not  give  that  sight 


162  HELL. 

For  all  the  drink  fount  Branda  could  supply. 

One  is  already  in  this  woeful  plight, 

If  these  mad  shadows  that  go  raging  round 

Amid  their  fury  can  the  truth  relate : 

But  what  avails  it  me  with  limbs  thus  bound  ? 

Were  I  so  light  that  I  could  drag  my  weight 

An  inch  a  century,  I  had,  ere  this, 

Hunted  him  out  amid  this  shapeless  brood. 

Though  eleven  miles  this  pit  wind  round  the  abyss. 

Nor  less  than  half  a  mile  of  width  include. 

'T  is  through  their  means  that  I  'm  with   such  a 

race: 
They  tempted  me  to  coin  those  florins  fair 
Which  with  three  carats  of  alloy  were  base." 
And  I  to  him :   "  Who  are  yon  groveling  pair 
At  thy  right  hand  there,  steaming  on  the  ground, 
Like  a  wet  hand  in  winter  ?  "     He  replied : 
"  When  I  rained   down  here,   those  two  souls   I 

found ; 
And  since  that  time  they  motionless  abide. 
Nor  shall  they  stir,  I  g-uess,  for  evermore. 
Sinon  from  Troy  is  one,  that  faithless  Greek ; 
And  one  false  witness  against  Joseph  bore  : 
'T  is  the  sharp  fever  makes  them  so  to  reek." 

The  former  then,  as  though  his  name  to  hear 
Vilified  thus  enraged  he  had  become, 
Struck  the  swoln  belly  with  a  fist  severe. 


CANTO    THE    THIRTIETH.  163 

That  made  it  vibrate,  ringing  like  a  drum. 

But  Master  Adam  at  his  visage  straight 

Aimed  back  the  blow,    with  arm  that  seemed  as 

hard. 
Saying :   "  What  though  these  members  by  their 

weight 
Are  from  all  faculty  of  motion  barred  ? 
I  have  an  arm  yet  free  for  such  a  use." 
"  Ah  I  "   the    Greek   answered,  "  when   thou  wast 

conveyed 
Bound  to  the  stake,  thy  hands  were  not  so  loose ; 
Though   free  enough  when  those  bad  coins   they 

made." 
"  Thou  speak' st  more  true,"  the  dropsied  wretch 

replies, 
"Than  when  they  bade  thee  tell  the  truth  at  Troy." 
"  Well,"  answered  Sinon,  "  if  I  uttered  lies. 
Uttering  false  moneys  was  thy  base  employ ; 
And  for  one  falsehood  I  am  here,  indeed, 
But  thou  for  more  than  any  fiend  in  Hell." 

"  Bethink  thee,  perjurer,  of  thy  wooden  steed  !  " 
The  gross  one  cried  ;  "  the  world  knows  that  trick 

well : 
Be   that   thy   torment !  "  —  "Be    thine    own    the 

drought," 
Returned  the  Greek,  "  which  thy  cracked  tongue 

so  dries, 


164  HELL. 

And  the  rank  liquid  that  so  swells  thee  out, 
Making  that  paunch  a  hedge  before  thine  eyes." 
''  Still,  as  of  old,  wide  gapes  thy  ready  jaw 
To  give  malignant  words,"  the  coiner  said ; 
"  If  I  have  thirst,  if  moisture  bloat  my  maw. 
Thine  is  the  burning,  thine  the  anguished  head. 
Nay,  and  to  lick  Narcissus'  mirror  dry 
But  little  urging  wouldst  thou  need,  I  trow !  " 

Thus  jangled  they,  while  I  stood  waiting  by, 

Until  the  Master  said  :  "  Keep  staring  now ! 

A  little  more,  and  we  shall  quarrel  too." 

Soon  as  I  felt  that  he  with  anger  spake. 

Towards  him  I  turned  with  so  much  shame  that 

through 
My  memory  still  disturbance  it  doth  wake. 
And  like  a  man  who  dreams  of  some  hard  lot. 
And,  dreaming,  wishes  it  were  but  a  dream. 
And  so  desires  what  is  as  though  't  were  not/ 
Thus  in  my  dumb  confusion  did  I  seem ! 
Seeking  excuse,  I  found  the  excuse  I  sought, 
Yet  knew  it  not.     The  Master  then  to  me  : 
"  To  greater  fault  less  shame  had  pardon  brought  ; 
So  from  all  sadness  have  thy  spirit  free ; 
And,  if  chance  e'er  again  thy  footsteps  guide 
Where  in  like  manner  men  display  their  ire. 
Remember  I  am  ever  at  thy  side. 
To  list  such  wrangling  is  a  low  desire." 


CANTO   THE    THIRTY-FIRST.  165 

CANTO   THE   THIRTY-FIRST. 

The  tongue  that  flushed  my  cheeks  with  so  severe 
A  reprimand,  a  healing  balm  conveyed. 
Thus,  I  am  told,  could  the  paternal  spear 
Of  great  AchiUes  cure  the  wound  it  made. 
Now  from  that  woeful  vale  we  turned  away. 
Crossing  the  bank  that  girds  it,  without  speech. 
Here  less  it  was  than  night,  and  less  than  day. 
So  that  not  far  my  visual  power  could  reach : 
But  the  deep  note  of  a  loud-pealing  horn. 
Such  as  had  even  the  loudest  thunder  drowned. 
In  the  direction  whence  the  peal  was  borne. 
Drew  my  intent  eyes,  following  towards  the  sound. 
So  dread  a  blast  Orlando  did  not  blow, 
After  the  doleful  rout,  when  Charlemagne 
Met,  in  his  holy  enterprise,  o'erthrow. 
Looking  a  little  up  towards  that  harsh  strain. 
Many  tall  towers  methought  I  could  descry. 
"  Master,"  I  asked,  "  what  sort  of  town  is  this  ?  " 
He  answered  me :  "  The  distance  which  thine  eye 
Travels  in  darkness  makes  thy  sight  amiss : 
Therefore  thy  fancy  runs  a  little  wild. 
Thou  shalt  see  well,  if  thou  api3roach  the  place, 
How  much  the  eye  by  distance  is  beguiled : 
Now,  then,  a  little  onward  prick  thy  pace  !  " 


166  HELL. 

Tenderly  then  he  took  my  hand,  and,  "  Here," 
Continued  he,  "  ere  further  we  have  gone. 
Know,  that  the  fact  less  startling  may  appear, 
Giants,  not  towers,  are  those  thou  gazest  on. 
There  in  the  central  well  are  all  immersed, 
Each  from  his  navel  down,  about  the  bank." 
As  when  a  fog  breaks,  ere  it  be  dispersed, 
Little  by  little  from  the  dark  and  dank 
The  sight  shapes  out  those  objects  hid  before, 
Thus,  piercing  that  gross  air,  and  getting  near 
And  nearer  still  to  the  surrounding  shore. 
Mine  error  fled  ;  but  instant  grew  my  fear. 

As  Montereggion  stands  with  turrets  crowned 

About  its  circuit,  thus  these  giants  grim. 

Towering  with  half  their  persons,  rose  around 

And  overtopped  the  pit's  encircling  rim. 

These  are  the  fiends  at  whom  Jove  still  doth  launch 

Threats  when  he  thunders.     I  already  traced 

The  face  of  one,  great  portion  of  his  paunch. 

Shoulders  and  breast,  and  arms  adown  his  waist. 

Sure,  Nature,  when  her  hand  forbore  the  skill 

To  make  such  monsters,  had  a  wise  intent. 

Taking  from  Mars  those  ministers  of  ill ; 

And  if  she  do  not  of  her  whales  repent. 

And  elephants,  who  closely  thinks  will  find 

That  she  herein  a  just  discretion  shows  : 

For  were  ill  will  and  strength  gifted  with  mind. 


CANTO   THE    THIRTY-FIRST.  167 

Vainly  would  men  such  argument  oppose. 
As  long  and  large  a  visage  lie  upreared 
As  is  Saint  Peter's  pine  at  Rome,  and  such 
His  other  bones  proportionedly  appeared : 
Since  from  the  bank  that  girt  his  waist  so  much 
Of  his  vast  form  was  visible  that  three 
Tall  Frieslanders  could  not  have  reached  his  hair ; 
Thirty  good  palms  of  him  mine  eye  could  see, 
Below  where  men  their  cloak-clasps  use  to  wear. 

"  Rapheghi  mahameth  \zahig  Jialmi  !  "    Thus 
The  savage  mouth,  which  hymns  of  sweeter  note 
Would  ill  agree  with,  straight  saluted  us. 
"  Fool,"   said   my  Leader,   "  hush  thy  clamorous 

throat ! 
Soul  of  confusion !  with  thy  horn  alone 
Vent  thy  brute  fury,  for  that  brays  it  best. 
Search  on  thy  neck  there  ;  thou  wilt  find  the  zone 
That  binds  it  dangling  round  thy  giant  breast." 
Then  thus  to  me  :  "  The  slave  is  self -accused  ; 
Nimrod  that  is,  to  whose  bad  thought  is  due 
That  in  the  world  one  language  is  not  used ; 
There  let  him  stand,  nor  vain  discourse  pursue, 
For  every  language  is  to  him  a  sound, 
Like  his  to  others ;  jargon  without  sense." 
So  leftward  turned,  a  bowshot  on  we  found 
Another,  far  more  fierce,  of  size  immense. 


168  HELL. 

What  master-hand  had  power  those  limbs  to  bind 

I  cannot  say  ;  but  both  his  arms  were  fast, 

The  left  before  him,  and  the  right  behind. 

Held  by  a  chain  which  round  his  form  was  cast. 

From  his  neck  down,  five  circles  of  the  chain 

Were  plain  to  view.     "  That  haughty  spirit  strove," 

My  Leader  said,  "  and  so  deserves  his  pain. 

To  match  his  might  against  the  most  high  Jove. 

'T  is  Ephialtes ;  great  his  exploits  were. 

When  giant  rebels  filled  the  Gods  with  dread ; 

But  those  huge  arms  he  nevermore  shall  stir." 

"  Master,  if  it  were  possible,"  I  said, 

"  The  measureless  Briareus  I  would  see." 

He  answered  thus  :  "  Antaeus,  if  thou  wilt, 

Thou  mayst  behold  ;  he  speaks,  his  limbs  are  free ; 

He  shall  convey  us  to  the  depths  of  guilt. 

Near  us  he  stands :  the  other  one  for  whom 

Thou  hast  inquired  is  yonder  distant  far. 

Fettered  like  this  one,  by  an  equal  doom ; 

But  still  more  terrible  his  features  are." 

Never  did  earthquake  with  so  violent  shock 

Strongly  and  suddenly  a  turret  shake 

As  Ephialtes  'gan  to  reel  and  rock ; 

Nor  e'er  did  I  with  fear  of  death  so  quake : 

Save  that  I  saw  the  bonds  that  held  him  fast, 

Terror  alone  had  slain  me  on  the  spot ! 

But  now  we  reached  Antaeus,  towering  vast. 

Without  the  head,  full  five  ells  forth  his  grot. 


CANTO    THE    THIRTY-FIRST.  169 

"  O  thou  that,  in  the  vale  where  fortune  led 
Scipio  to  glory  (when  in  such  dismay 
Great  Hannibal,  with  all  his  heroes,  fled), 
Didst  bear  a  thousand  lions  for  thy  prey ! 
Through  whose  assistance,  hadst  thou  only  striven, 
Leagued  with  thy  brothers  in  the  lofty  fray, 
Many  there  be  who  think,  despite  of  Heaven, 
That  earth's  proud  children  might  have  won  the 

day! 
Be  now  our  convoy,  nor  disdain  the  task, 
Where  the  numb  winter  locks  Cocytus'  flow : 
Bid  us  nor  Tityos  nor  Typhoeus  ask. 
What  here  you  crave,  this  mortal  can  bestow ! 
Stoop,  then,  nor  curl  thy  nostril  in  disdain : 
To  sound  thy  fame  on  earth  still,  he  hath  power  ; 
He  lives,  and  long  time  living  will  remain. 
Unless  to  her  Grace  call  him,  ere  his  hour." 

The  monster  straight,  as  thus  the  Master-bard, 
Stretched  his  huge  hands  forth,   and  my  Leader 

clasped 
Those  hands  that  erst  wrung  Hercules  full  hard. 
And  Virgil,  when  he  felt  himself  thus  grasped. 
Said :  "  Hither  !  let  mine  arms  thy  form  inclose  :  " 
Thus  we  became  one  burden,  he  and  I. 
And  as  the  tower  of  Carisenda  shows 
To  one  beneath  it,  if  a  cloud  go  by. 
So  that  the  tower  hangs  adverse  to  the  cloud, 


170  HELL. 

Such  looked  Antaeus,  watching  as  I  stood 
To  see  him  bend ;  and,  as  his  figure  bowed, 
I  would  have  fain  some  other  way  pursued. 
But  at  the  base  of  the  devouring  den, 
Where  Judas  lies  with  Lucifer,  at  last 
He  lightly  set  us  down,  and  straight  again 
Lifted  himself  up  like  a  vessel's  mast. 


CANTO  THE   THIRTY-SECOND. 

Had  I  rhymes  harsh  and  rude  enough  in  sound 
To  suit  the  nature  of  the  dismal  den 
Which  all  the  rocks  hang  buttressing  around. 
My  full  conceit  should  have  expression  then  ; 
But  lacking  these,  I  fear  my  speech  is  faint : 
For  't  is  no  task  wherewith  to  be  amused, 
The  bottom  of  the  universe  to  paint. 
Nor  for  a  tongue  to  infant  lispings  used. 
But  may  those  virgins  make  my  verse  exact. 
Who  helped  Amphion  build  his  Theban  wall, 
And  give  me  utterance  not  below  the  fact. 
And  O  ye  wretches !  most  ill-starred  of  all. 
Of  whose  abode  't  is  terrible  to  tell, 
Better  had  you  been  goats  on  earth,  or  sheep  ! 
Being  now  down  within  the  gloomy  well. 
Under  the  giant's  feet,  but  far  more  deep. 
And  while  the  lofty  wall  I  still  admired, 


CANTO    THE   THIRTY-SECOND.  Ill 

I  heard  this  voice  :  "  Be  careful  of  thy  tread ! 
Let  not  thy  trampling  soles  offend  these  tired, 
Sad  brethren  here,  nor  bruise  them  on  the  head." 
Turning  whereat,  beneath  me  and  before, 
I  saw  a  lake  that  seemed  to  be  of  glass 
Rather  than  water,  so  't  was  frozen  o'er. 
Never  did  winter  wdth  so  gross  a  mass 
Veil  Austrian  Danube  or  the  river  Don 
There  under  that  cold  sky ;  had  Tambernich 
Or  Pietrapana's  mountain  fallen  thereon. 
Not  even  its  rim  had  creaked,  it  lay  so  thick. 
And  as  a  frog  squats  croaking  from  a  stream. 
With  nose  put  forth,  what  time  the  village  maid 
Oft  in  her  slumber  doth  of  gleaning  dream. 
Stood  in  the  ice  there  every  dolefid  shade, 
Livid  as  far  as  where  shame  paints  the  cheek. 
And  doomed  their  faces  downward  still  to  hold. 
Chattering  like  storks,  their  weeping  eyes  bespeak 
Their  aching  hearts  ;  their  mouths,  the  biting  cold. 

I  looked  around  me  for  a  while  ;  then  fixed 
My  gaze  below,  on  two  just  under  us. 
So  linked  together  that  their  hairs  were  mixed. 
"  O  ye,"  said  I,  "  who  breast  each  other  thus  ! 
Tell  who  ye  are."     Hereat  their  necks  they  bent ; 
And  looking  up,  as  they  their  faces  showed. 
Their  eyes,  in  which  the  moisture  had  been  pent. 
Dropped  icy  tears  which  down  their  lips  o'erflowed. 


172         ,  HELL. 

These  freezing  straight,  their  eyelids  closely  shut : 
Never  were  planks  by  clamp  so  closely  held  ; 
Whence  they,  like  two  he-goats,  began  to  butt 
Each  other  blindly,  by  such  wrrath  compelled ; 
And  one  whose  ears  the  frost  had  gnawed  away, 
Still  hanging  down  his  countenance,  exclaimed : 
"  Why  dost  thou  eye  us  with  that  sharp  survey  ? 
Know,  if   thou  'rt  wondering  how  those  two  are 

named. 
The  vale  from  which  Bisenzio's  water  runs 
Down  into  Arno  once  belonged  to  them 
And  Count  Alberto ;  for  they  were  his  sons, 
And  both  were  issue  of  a  single  stem. 
Thou  shalt  not  find,  search  all  Cama  through, 
One  soul  more  worthy  in  this  ice  to  stand : 
Not  even  that  wretch  whom  royal  Arthur  slew, 
Body  and  shadow  piercing  wdth  one  brand ; 
No,  nor  Focaccia ;  nor  this  other  ghost 
That  with  his  head  obstructeth  so  my  sight : 
If  thou  'rt  a  Tuscan,  him  full  well  thou  know'st, 
For  Sassol  Mascheroni  was  he  hight. 
And  I,  that  thou  mayst  further  question  spare, 
Am  Camicione,  waiting  to  behold 
Carlin,  whose  guilt  shall  make  my  foulness  fair." 

A  thousand  visages  I  saw,  by  cold 

Turned  to  dog-faces :  horror  chills  me  through 

Whenever  of  those  frozen  fords  I  think. 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-SECOND.         173 

And  as  we  nearer  to  the  centre  drew, 

Towards  which  all  bodies  by  their  weight  must 

sink, 
There,  as  I  shivered  in  the  eternal  chill. 
Trampling  among  the  heads,  it  happed  by  luck 
Or  destiny,  or,  it  may  be,  my  will. 
Hard  in  the  face  of  one  my  foot  I  struck. 
Weeping,  he  cried  :  "  What  brings  thee  bruising 

us? 
Unless  on  me  fresh  vengeance  thou  wouldst  pile 
For  Mont'  Aperti,  why  torment  me  thus  ?  " 
And  I :  "  My  Master,  wait  for  me  awhile. 
That  I  through  him  may  set  one  doubt  at  rest ; 
Then,  if  thou  bid  me  hasten  on,  I  will." 
My  Leader  stopped ;  and  I  the  shade  addressed. 
Who  kept  full  bitterly  blaspheming  still : 
"  Say,    who    art    thou    whose    tongue    so    foully 

speaks?" 
"  Nay,  who  art  thou  that  walk'st  the  withering  air 
Of  Antenora,  smiting  others'  cheeks. 
Which,  wert  thou  living,  't  were  too  much  to  bear  ?  " 
"  Living  I  am  ;  and  thou,  if  craving  fame, 
Mayst  count  it  precious,"  this  was  my  reply, 
"  That  I  with  other  notes  record  thy  name." 
He  answered  thus  :  "  Far  other  wish  have  I. 
Trouble  me  now  no  longer ;  get  thee  gone. 
Thine  is  cold  flattery  in  this  waste  of  Hell." 
At  this  his  hindmost  hairs  I  fastened  on. 


174  HELL. 

And  cried  :  "  Thy  name  !     I  '11  force  thee  now  to 

tell, 
Or  not  one  hair  upon  thy  head  shall  grow." 
He   answered   thus :    "  Although  thou   pluck   me 

bare, 
I  '11  neither  tell  my  name,  nor  visage  show ; 
Nay,  though  a  thousand  times  thou  rend  my  hair." 

I  held  his  tresses  in  my  fingers  wound  ; 
And  more  than  one  tuft  had  I  twitched  away, 
As  he,  with  eyes  bent  down,  howled  like  a  hound. 
When  one  cried  out :     "  What  ails  thee,  Bocca  ? 

Say. 
Canst  thou  not  make  enough  clack  with  thy  jaws. 
But  thou  must  bark,  too  ?    What  fiend  pricks  thee 

now  ?  " 
"  Aha !  "  said  I,  "  henceforth  I  have  no  cause 
To  bid  thee  speak,  thou  cursed  traitor,  thou ! 
I  'U  shame  thee,  bearing  truth  of  thee  to  men." 
"  Away !  "  he  answered  :  "  what  thou  wilt,  relate  ; 
But,  shouldst   thou   get   from   hence  with  breath 

again. 
Mention  him,  too,  so  ready  with  his  prate. 
Here  he  bewails  that  silver  of  the  French. 
'  I  saw  Duera's  lord,'  thou  mayst  declare, 
'  Down  where  the  sinners  in  the  coolness  blench.' 
And  if  thou  'rt  asked  what  other  souls  were  there, 
Beside  thee  Beccaria  stands,  whose  throat 


CANTO    THE    THIRTY-THIRD.  175 

Florence  did  cut.     Beyond,  Soldanier's  shade, 

And  Ganellon,  and  Tribaldello  note, 

Who,  while  Faenza  slept,  her  gates  betrayed." 

Him  had  we  left,  when,  in  a  single  gap 

Fast  froze  together,  other  two  I  saw. 

So  that  one  head  was  its  companion's  cap  ; 

And  as  a  famished  man  a  crust  might  gnaw, 

So  gnawed  the  upper  one  the  wretch  beneath, 

Just  where  the  neck-bone's  marrow  joins  the  brain : 

Not  otherwise  did  Tydeus  fix  his  teeth 

On  Menalippus'  temples  in  disdain. 

While  thus  he  mumbled  skull  and  hair  and  all, 

I  cried  :  "  Ho  !  thou  who  show'st  such  bestial  hate 

Of  him  on  whom  thy  ravenous  teeth  so  fall. 

Why  f eed'st  thou  thus  ?     On  tliis  agreement  state ; 

That,  if  thou  have  good  reason  for  thy  spite, 

Knowing  you  both,  and  what  his  crime  was,  I 

Up  in  the  world  above  may  do  thee  right, 

Unless  the  tongue  I  talk  with  first  grow  dry." 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-THIRD. 

From  his  foul  feast  that  sinner  raised  his  jaw, 
Wiping  it  on  the  hair,  first,  of  the  head 
Whose  hinder  part  his  craunching  had  made  raw. 
Then  thus :  "  Thou  woiddst  that  I  renew,"  he  said, 


176  HELL. 

"  The  agony  which  still  my  heart  doth  wring, 
In  thought  even,  ere  a  syllable  I  say  ; 
But  if  my  words  may  future  harvest  bring, 
To  the  vile  traitor  here  on  whom  I  prey. 
Of  infamy,  then  thou  shalt  hear  me  speak, 
And  see  my  tears,  too !     I  know  not  thy  mien. 
Nor  by  what  means  this  region  thou  dost  seek ; 
But  by  thy  tongue  thou  'rt  sure  a  Florentine. 

"  Know  then,  Count  Ugolino  once  was  I, 

And  this  Archbishop  Ruggieri :  fate 

Makes  us  close  neighbors ;  I  will  tell  thee  why. 

'T  is  needless  all  the  story  to  relate. 

How  through  his  malice,  trusting  in  his  word, 

I  was  a  prisoner  made,  and,  after,  slain. 

But  that  whereof  thou  never  canst  have  heard 

(I  mean  how  cruelly  my  life  was  ta'en) 

Thou  shalt  hear  now,  and  thenceforth  know  if  he 

Have  done  me  wrong.     A  loophole  in  the  mew 

Which  hath   its   name   of  Famine's  Tower  from 

me, 
And  where  his  doom  some  other  yet  must  rue. 
Had  shown  me  now  already  through  its  cleft 
Moon  after  moon,  when  that  ill  dream  I  dreamed 
Which  from  futurity  the  curtain  reft. 
He,  in  my  vision,  lord  and  master  seemed. 
Hunting  the  wolf  and  wolf-cubs  on  the  height 
Which  screeneth  Lucca  from  the  Pisan's  eye : 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-THIRD.  177 

With  eager  lioimds  well  trained  and  lean  and  light, 
Gualandi  and  Lanfranchi  darted  by, 
With  keen  Sismondi ;  these  the  foremost  went. 
But  after  some  brief  chase,  too  hardly  borne, 
The  sire  and  offspring  seemed  entirely  spent. 
And  by  sharp  fangs  their  bleeding  sides  were  torn. 

"  When,  before  morn,  from  sleep  I  raised  my  head, 
I  heard  my  boys  in  prison  there  with  me 
Moaning  in  slumber,  and  demanding  bread. 
If  thou  weep  not,  a  savage  thou  must  be ! 
Nay,  if  thou  weep  not,  thinking  of  the  fear 
My  heart  foreboded,  canst  thou  weep  at  aught  ? 
Now  they  woke,  also,  and  the  hour  was  near 
When  used  our  daily  pittance  to  be  brought. 
His  dream  made  each  mistrustful ;  and  I  heard 
The  door  of  that  dread  tower  nailed  up  below : 
Then  in  my  children's  eyes,  without  a  word 
I  gazed,  but  moved  not ;  and  I  wept  not :  so 
Like  stone  I  was  within  that  I  could  not ! 
They  wept,  though ;  and  my  little  Anselm  cried : 
'Thou  look'st  so,  father!  what's  the  matter, what?' 
But  still  I  wept  not,  nor  a  word  replied 
All  that  long  day,  nor  all  the  following  night, 
Till  earth  beheld  the  sun's  returning  ray. 
As  soon  as  one  faint  gleam  of  morning  light 
Stole  to  the  dismal  dungeon  where  we  lay, 
And  soon  as  those  four  visages  I  saw 


178  HELL. 

Imaging  back  the  horror  of  mine  own, 

Both  hands  through  anguish  I  began  to  gnaw; 

And  they,  believing  want  of  food  alone 

Compelled  me,  started  up  and  cried :  '  Far  less, 

Dear  father,  it  will  torture  us  if  thou 

Shouldst  feed  on  us !     Thou  gavest  us  this  dress 

Of  wretched  flesh  :  't  is  thine,  and  take  it  now/ 

So,  to  relieve  their  little  hearts,  at  last 

I  calmed  myself  ;  and  all  in  silence  thus. 

That,  and  the  next  day,  motionless  we  past. 

Ah,  thou  hard  earth  !  why  didst  not  ope  for  us  ? 

"  On  the  fourth  morning,  Gaddo  at  my  feet 
Cast  himself  prostrate,  murmuring :  '  Father  !  why 
Dost  thou  not  help  me  ?     Give  me  food  to  eat.' 
With  that  he  died ;  and  even  so  saw  I, 
As  thou  seest  me  now,  three  more,  one  by  one, 
Betwixt  the  fifth  day  and  the  sixth  day  fall ; 
By  which  time,  sightless  grown,  o'er  each  dear  son 
I  groped,  and  two  days  on  the  dead  did  call. 
But  what  grief  could  not  do,  hunger  did  then." 
This  said,  he  rolled  his  eyes  askance,  and  fell 
To  gnaw  the  skull  with  greedy  teeth  again, 
Strong  as  a  dog's  upon  the  bony  shell. 

Ah,  Pisa  !  shame  of  all  in  that  fair  land 
Where  si  is  uttered,  since  thy  neighbors  round 
Take  vengeance  on  thee  with  a  tardy  hand, 


CANTO    THE    THIRTY-THIRD.  179 

Broke  be  Capraja's  and  Gorgona's  bound ! 
Let  them  dam  Arno's  mouth  up,  till  the  wave 
Whelm  every  soul  of  thine  in  its  o'erflow  ! 
What  though  't  was  said  Count  Ugolino  gave, 
Through  treachery,  thy  strongholds  to  the  foe, 
Thou  need'st  not  have  tormented  so  his  sons, 
Thou   modern   Thebes !  their   youth    saved   them 

from  blame : 
Brigata,  Hugh,  and  those  two  innocent  ones 
Whom,  just  above,  the  canto  calls  by  name. 

We  now  passed  on,  to  where  another  race 
In  the  rough  bondage  of  the  frost  is  pent, 
Hanging  not  down,  but  holding  up  the  face, 
Whose  very  weeping  weeping  doth  prevent. 
The  tears,  which  at  their  eyes  a  barrier  find. 
Are  forced  within  to  make  their  anguish  more  ; 
For  the  first  drops  clog  those  that  come  behind, 
The  cup  with  crystal  visor  glazing  o'er. 
And  though  no  longer  much  sensation  dwelt 
In  my  own  visage,  callous  from  the  cold, 
Methought  a  breeze  upon  my  cheek  I  felt, 
And  of  my  Master  would  the  cause  be  told. 
"  Is  not  all  wind,"  I  said,  "  spent  here  below  ?  " 
He  answered  :  "  Fast  thou  art  a23proaching  where 
Thy  very  eye  the  meet  response  will  show. 
Seeing  the  source  which  poureth  such  an  air.'* 
And  one  of  those  sad  souls  in  that  cold  crust 


180  HELL 

Cried :  "  O  ye  spirits  of  so  cruel  kind 

That  to  tlie  lowest  region  ye  are  thrust ! 

These  frozen  curtains  from  mine  eyes  unbind  ; 

Let  me  a  little  vent  this  bursting  heart 

Before  again  my  gathering  tears  congeal." 

I  answered  him  :  "  First  tell  me  who  thou  art, 

If  thou  wouldst  have  me  those  glazed  orbs  unseal ; 

And  if  I  free  thee  not,  may  I  be  sunk 

Down  to  the  bottom  of  this  ice  !  "     "  My  name," 

The  wretch  replied,  "  is  Alberic  the  monk  ; 

I  'm  he  whose  fruit  from  no  good  garden  came : 

Now  for  those  figs  of  mine  I  get  this  date." 

"  What !  art  thou  dead,  then  ?  "  I  exclaimed ;  and 

he 
Answered  me  thus :  "I  know  not  in  what  state 
My  body  in  the  upper  world  may  be. 
This  one  advantage  beareth  over  all 
The  rest  of  Hell  our  Ptolemsean  part, 
That  oft  the  soul  is  hither  doomed  to  fall 
Ere  Atropos  compel  its  final  start. 
That  thou  more  willingly  mayst  rub  away 
These  frozen  drops  that  overglaze  my  face, 
Learn  that  no  sooner  doth  a  soul  betray, 
As  I  did,  than  a  demon  takes  its  place 
Who  rules  the  body  till  its  term  be  run. 
While  to  this  cistern  here  the  soul  is  hurled; 
Even  now  perchance  the  body  of  this  one, 


CANTO    THE    THIRTY-THIRD.  181 

Who  winters  here  behind  me,  walks  the  world ! 
If  thou  but  newly  art  descended  here, 
His  outward  semblance  haply  thou  mayst  know : 
That 's  Master  Branca  Doria  ;  many  a  year 
Hath  glided  by  since  he  was  chained  below." 

"  Now  I  believe  thou  'rt  mocking  me,"  said  I ; 
"  For  Branca  Doria  surely  hath  not  gone 
To  his  grave  yet,  but  in  the  world  on  high 
Eats,  drinks,  and  sleeps,  and  putteth  raiment  on." 
"  Ere  to  the  fosse  of  those  curst-claws,"  he  said, 
"  Up  where  the  pitch  boils,  Michel  Zanche  came. 
This  caitiff  left  a  devil  in  his  stead. 
Yea,  in  his  own  and  in  a  kinsman's  frame. 
One  who  shared  with  him  in  his  traitorous  plot. 
But  put  thy  hand  forth  now  and  let  me  see : 
Open  mine  eyelids !  "     And  I  oped  them  not ; 
Rudeness  was  courtesy  to  such  as  he. 

Ah,  Genoese,  men  wanting  in  all  worth. 
With  every  taint  of  wickedness  accurst ! 
Why  are  ye  not  swept  off  the  face  of  earth  ? 
Seeing  that  with  this  spirit,  far  the  worst 
Even  of  Romagna,  one  of  you  I  found 
Who,  for  his  eminence  in  works  of  ill. 
Hath  his  soul  down  there  in  Cocytus  drowned, 
Yet  seems,  above,  alive  in  body  still. 


182  HELL. 

CANTO   THE    THIRTY-FOURTH. 

"  Vexilla  Regis  prodeuiit  Inferni.,  — 
The  flags  are  flying  of  tlie  King  of  Hell ! 
Towards  us  they  wave  :  so,  look,"  the  Master  said, 
"  Before  thee  now,  if  thou  see  him  as  well." 
As  when  a  thick  fog  all  things  hath  o'erspread, 
Or  darkness  veils  our  hemisphere,  oft  shows 
A  mill,  far  off,  whose  wheels  by  wind  are  sped. 
Appeared  a  frame  in  front  of  me  that  rose. 
Then,  finding  from  the  blast  that  swept  along 
No  shelter  else,  behind  my  Guide  I  shrunk. 
And  saw  (with  fear  I  set  it  in  my  song) 
That,  where  I  was,  the  shades  were  wholly  sunk. 
Through  the  clear  ice  their  forms  were  plain  to 

sight, 
Like  splints  in  glass,  erect,  or  lying  low ; 
One  with  soles  up,  and  one  with  head  upright ; 
Another,  face  to  foot,  bent  like  a  bow. 
Soon  as  my  Lord  had  led  me  on  to  where 
His  pleasure  't  was  to  point  to  my  survey 
The  being  that  was  once,  outside,  so  fair, 
He  from  before  me  passed,  and  bade  me  stay. 
"  Lo,  Dis  !  "  he  said,  "  and  lo,  the  place  where  thou 
Hast  need  to  arm  thy  soul  with  all  its  might ! " 
How  frozen  I  became,  how  helpless  now. 
Ask  me  not,  reader  !  't  is  not  mine  to  write ; 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-FOURTH.         183 

And  forms  of  speech  would  all  too  trivial  be ; 
I  was  not  dead,  yet  scarce  alive  remained : 
Think  for  thyself,  if  genius  bloom  in  thee, 
What  my  state  was,  whom  neither  state  contained. 

At  mid-breast,  rising  from  the  ice,  on  high 
He  towered,  who  sways  that  empire  of  despair  ; 
And  more  my  size  might  with  a  giant's  vie 
Than  giants  could  with  even  his  arms  compare : 
Judge  what  the  whole  must  be  of  such  a  part ! 
If,  once  as  beauteous  as  he  now  is  grun, 
He  on  his  Maker  scowled  in  scorn  of  heart. 
Well  may  all  miseries  have  their  source  in  him ! 

Oh,  what  a  marvel  it  appeared  to  me 

When  I  beheld  upon  the  monster's  head 

More  than  one  countenance !  for  he  had  three  : 

One  face  he  bare  in  front,  and  that  was  red ; 

The  other  twain,  that  did  with  tliis  unite. 

Just  o'er  the  middle  of  each  shoulder  grew, 

Combining  where  his  crest  had  place  :  the  right 

Was  mingled  white  and  yellow  in  its  hue  ; 

The  left  was  such  in  color  as  the  race 

Wear  of  that  land  whence   Nile  sends  down  his 

stream. 
Two  mighty  pinions  rose  from  'neath  each  face. 
Such  as  might  best  so  huge  a  fowl  beseem  ; 
Plumes  had  they  none,  but  more  like  bat  than  bird : 


184  HELL. 

Sails  on  the  sea  I  never  saw  like  those  ; 

And  them  he  flapped,  and  so  to  motion  stirred 

Three  winds,  whose  fanning  all  Cocytus  froze. 

A  bloody  slaver  down  his  triple  chin 

Flowed,  mixed  with  tears,  from  those  ^  six  eyes  that 

came  ; 
And  in  each  mouth,  as  't  were  his  teeth  had  been 
A  sort  of  brake,  he  champed  a  sinner's  frame : 
Thus  three  he  held  in  his  tormenting  clutch. 
To  him  in  front,  the  biting,  if  compared 
With  the  ferocious  clawing,  was  not  much  ; 
For  oft  his  back  of  skin  was  wholly  bared. 

"  That  foremost  soul  up  there,"  the  Master  said, 
"  Whose  limbs  are  quivering  with  intenser  pain. 
Is  Judas,  called  Iscariot :  see !  his  head 
Inside  he  hath,  outside  his  legs  remain. 
Brutus  is  one  of  those,  with  heads  doAvn-hung, 
Dangling  from  that  black  jaw :  take  note  of  him, 
How  he  doth  wring ;  yet  silence  chains  his  tongue. 
Cassius  that  other  is,  more  large  of  limb. 
But  the  night  cometh  up  again ;  and  now 
We  must  depart :  we  have  seen  everything." 

His  neck  I  girdled  then  (he  teaching  how). 
While  he  chose  time  and  place,  when  every  wing 
Was  on  the  stretch  :  when  they  were  wide  enough, 
Grasping  the  woolly  ribs,  from  lock  to  lock 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-FOURTH.         185 

He  clambered  down,  betwixt  the  creature's  rough 
Thick-matted  tufts  and  that  ice-crusted  rock. 
When  we  had  reached  the  swelling  of  the  joint 
Where  turns  the  thigh,  my  Leader,  struggling  sore, 
Turned  round  with  pains,  precisely  at  this  point, 
His  head  to  where  his  feet  had  been  before ; 
And  as  he  grappled  hard  the  shaggy  hairs 
Like  a  man  climbing,  back  to  Hell,  methought, 
I  was  returning.     "  Take  fast  hold !   such  stairs," 
The  Master  gasped,  like  one  with  toil  o'erwrought, 
"  Must  serve  us  now  such  wickedness  to  quit." 
Then  through  an  opening  in  a  rock  he  passed. 
And  placing  me  upon  its  brink  to  sit, 
With  caution  moved ;  and  stopped  near  me  at  last. 
I  raised  mine  eyes,  expecting  still  to  see 
Lucifer,  just  as  I  had  left  him  there. 
Standing  erect ;  and  he  appeared  to  me 
Inverted,  with  his  legs  up  in  the  air. 

Then  if  confusion  struck  me  not  aghast, 
The  multitude  may  guess,  whose  grosser  eyes 
Heed  not  what  point  it  is  I  just  had  passed. 
"  Now,"  said  the  Master,  "  to  thy  feet  arise  : 
Long  is  the  jcurney,  and  the  way  not  good ; 
Towards   his  third   hour    the    sun  hath   half-way 

risen." 
No  corridor  it  was,  wherein  we  stood. 
Of  some  fair  palace,  but  a  natural  prison ; 


186  HELL. 

Its  ground  was  craggy,  and  it  wanted  light. 
And,  ''  O  my  Master  !  ere  from  this  abyss 
I  make  escape,"  said  I,  when  once  upright, 
"  Draw  me  from  error  first,  and  tell  me  this  : 
Where  is  the  ice  ?  and  this  huge  figure,  how 
Comes  he  reversed  thus  strangely  ?  and  the  sun  ? 
How  happeneth  it  that  he  already  now 
From  night  to  morning  hath  his  journey  run? " 

He  answered  thus  :  "  Thou  fanciest  thou  art  still 

That  side  the  centre,  where  I  grasped  the  hair 

Of  the  bad  worm  that  bores  through  earth  with 

iU. 
While  I  descended,  thou  indeed  wast  there. 
But  when  I  turned,  the  central  point  we  passed 
Towards  which  all  weights  draw,  from  on   every 

hand  : 
Thou  'rt  under  now  this  hemisphere  whose  vast 
Opposes  that,  covering  the  great  dry  land. 
Beneath  whose  zenith,  suffering  for  your  sakes, 
The  Sinless-born  without  sin  lived  and  died. 
Thy  feet  are  on  a  lesser  sphere  which  makes 
Of  the  Giudecca's  base  the  outer  side. 
'T  is  morning  here  when  there  the  sun  hath  set ; 
And  he,  the  shaggy  ladder  of  our  way, 
Fixed,  as  he  fell  from  Heaven,  abideth  yet. 
This  side  he  fell :  the  land  then,  in  dismay, 
Though  erst  projecting,  sought  your  hemisphere, 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-FOURTH.         187 

And  sank  in  ocean,  him  perchance  to  fly. 

Whatever  now  doth  on  this  side  appear 

Left  here  this  void,  and  trembling  rushed  on  high." 

A  place  there  is  'neath  Beelzebub  extending 
Far  as  his  tomb  is  deep ;  unseen,  but  known 
By  the  low  murmur  of  a  rill  descending 
A  chasm  its  course  hath  gnawed  out  in  the  stont. 
Falling  not  much,  but  winding  as  it  flows ; 
Into  which  secret  way  my  Guide  and  I 
Entered  to  pass,  not  caring  for  repose. 
Back  to  the  beautiful  bright  world  on  high, 
And  clambered  up,  he  ever  leading  on. 
Until  Heaven's  lovely  things,  within  my  ken, 
Through  a  round  opening  in  the  cavern  shone : 
And  thence  we  rose  to  see  the  stars  again. 


PURGATORY. 


PURGATORY. 


CANTO   THE   FIRST. 

The  little  vessel  of  my  genius  now 

Hoists  sail  o'er  better  waves  to  follow  helm, 

Turning  from  sea  so  terrible  its  prow  : 

And  I  will  sing  now  of  tbat  second  realm 

Wherein  are  purified  the  souls  of  men, 

Until  of  Heaven  they  worthy  shall  have  grown. 

But  here  dead  poesy  must  rise  again : 

O  sacred  Muses  !  I  am  now  your  own. 

Nor  let  Calliope  here  fall  below, 

But  soar  to  my  song !  with  that  epic  strain 

Whereof  those  wretched  magpies  felt  the  blow 

So  that  their  hope  of  pardon  was  but  vain. 

Of  oriental  sapphire  that  sweet  blue 

Which  overspread  the  beautiful  serene 

Of  the  pure  ether,  far  as  eye  could  view 

To  Heaven's  first  circle,  brightened  up  my  mien, 

Soon  as  I  left  that  atmosphere  of  death 


192  PURGATORY. 

Which  had  my  heart  so  saddened  with  mine  eyes. 
The  beauteous  planet  which  gives  love  new  breath 
With  laughing  light  cheered  all  the  orient  skies, 
Dimming  the  Fishes  that  her  escort  made ; 
Then,  turning  to  my  right,  I  stood  to  scan 
The  southern  pole,  and  four  stars  there  surveyed. 
Save  the  first  people,  never  seen  by  man  : 
Heaven  seemed  rejoicing  in  their  blazing  rays. 

0  widowed  north,  how  much  art  thou  bereft, 
That  constellation  hidden  from  thy  gaze ! 
Ceasing  my  look,  a  little  towards  the  left 

(The  pole  whence  now  the  Wain  had  disappeared) 

1  turned,  and  saw  an  old  man  all  alone 
Near  me,  whose  aspect  claimed  to  be  revered ; 
More  might  no  father  claim  it  of  a  son. 

His  beard  was  long  and  streaked,  as  was  his  hair. 
Which  fell  in  two  lengths  down  his  breast,  with 

white. 
The  rays  of  those  four  sacred  splendors  there 
So  sprinkled  o'er  his  countenance  with  light 
It  seemed  to  me  the  sun  before  me  stood ! 
And  thus  he  spake,  shaking  those  reverend  plumes  : 

"  Say,  who  are  ye  'gainst  the  dark  stream  who  could 
Fly,  as  ye  have,  the  eternal  dungeon's  glooms  ? 
Who  was  your  guide  ?     Who  lighted  you  the  way 
Escaping  forth  from  that  profoundest  night 
Which  makes  the  iuf ernal  valley  black  for  aye  ? 


CANTO   THE  FIRST.  193 

The  laws  of  that  abyss,  are  they  so  slight  ? 

Or  is  the  purpose  changed  which  Heaven  did  please, 

That   ye,    condemned,  approach    these   crags    of 

mine  ?  " 
Here  my  Lord  beckoned  me  to  bend  my  knees 
And  brows  (words  adding  to  his  touch  and  sign), 
Then  answered  thus :  "  My  will  was  not  my  guide ; 
A  maid  from  Heaven  besought  me  so  to  bear 
This  being  company  that  I  complied. 
More  of  our  state  wouldst  have  me  to  declare, 
Thy  will  to  gainsay,  my  will  cannot  be : 
This  man  hath  never  seen  life's  closing  even, 
But,  through  his  folly,  came  so  nigh  to  see 
That  for  escape  but  little  space  was  given. 
Therefore  was  I,  as  I  have  told  thee,  sent 
To  turn  him  back ;  and  other  way  was  none 
Save  this  to  which  my  guidance  I  have  lent. 
All  the  bad  spirits  I  to  him  have  shown. 
And  purpose  now  revealing  to  him  those 
Who  under  thee  their  natures  purify. 
'T  were  long  how  I  have  led  him  to  disclose, 
But  a  grace  aids  me,  granted  from  on  high. 
To  bring  him  thus  to  see  thee  and  to  hear  : 
Now  may  it  please  thee,  greet  him  fair !     He  goes 
In  quest  of  liberty,  that  is  so  dear  ; 
How  dear,  who  spurneth  life  for  freedom  knows. 
Thou  know'st !  who  didst  in  Utica  delight 
To  die  for  her,  doffing  that  vestment  there 


194  PURGATORY. 

Which  at  the  last  great  day  shall  show  so  white. 

Unchanged  for  us  the  eternal  edicts  are  : 

This  man  yet  lives,  and  Minos  hinds  not  me  ; 

1  come  from  where  thy  Marcia's  chaste  eyes  shine, 

Who  seems  in  aspect  still  imploring  thee, 

O  sacred  breast !   that  thou  wilt  keep  her  thine. 

Then  for  her  love  incline  thee  to  our  prayer ; 

Through  thy  seven  kingdoms  grant  us  leave  to  go : 

Thy  grace  I  gratefully  will  tell  her  where 

She  dwells,  if  thou  deign  mentioning  below." 

"  Marcia  delighted  so  mine  eyes  above. 

While  I  was  there,"  he  answered,  "  that  I  gave 

Whatever  she  asked  me  freely  to  her  love. 

But  now  she  dwells  that  side  the  wicked  wave 

She  cannot  move  me  longer  :  I  am  stayed 

By  laws  which  when  I  came  thence  were  decreed. 

But  since  thou  tell'st  me  a  celestial  maid 

Urges  and  guides  thee,  of  fair  words  what  need? 

Enough  her  name  to  sanction  thy  demand. 

Go  then  !  and  let  this  being  with  a  plain 

Smooth  reed  be  girt,  and  wash  with  thine  own  hand 

His  visage  pure  from  every  soil  and  stain ; 

For,  until  every  dimness  be  dispersed. 

It  were  not  fitting  to  beclouded  eyes 

To  come  before  the  one  who  sits  the  first 

Angel,  a  ministrant  of  Paradise, 

Round  its  low  margent,  on  the  yielding  ooze, 


CANTO   THE  FIRST.  195 

Down  by  the  low  strand  where  the  waves  have  strife, 
This  isle  bears  reeds  :  not  any  plant  which  grows 
Hard,  or  that  puts  forth  leaf,  may  there  have  life, 
For  no  such  stem  to  every  stroke  woidd  bow. 
In  fine,  not  this  way  look  to  journey  back : 
The  sun  will  show  you,  which  is  rising  now. 
To  take  this  mountain  at  some  easier  track." 
Herewith  he  vanished  :  I  straightway  did  rise 
Without  a  word,  and  toward  my  guiding  One 
All  closely  drew,  fastening  on  him  mine  eyes, 
Who  thus  began  :  "  Follow  my  steps,  my  son. 
Turn  we  back  this  way  ;  for  this  way,"  he  said, 
"  The  shore  sinks  low  to  where  its  limits  are." 

Now  day's  white  light  had  quelled  the  morning's 

red 
Which  fled  before  it,  so  that  from  afar 
I  recognized  the  trembling  of  the  main. 
Like  one  who  turns  to  find  a  pathway  lost, 
And  till  he  find  it  seems  to  walk  in  vain. 
Silent  that  solitary  plain  we  crossed. 
When  we  had  come  to  where  the  dewdrops  pass 
But  slowly  off  (by  reason  of  the  shade 
The  sun  resisting),  on  the  soft  small  grass 
His  outstretched  palms  my  Master  gently  laid : 
Whence  I,  acquainted  with  his  act's  intent. 
Held  up  my  cheeks  all  wet  with  tears  to  him, 
While  he  restored  unto  my  face  besprent  "^ 


196  PURGATORY. 

My  natural  hue,  which  Hell  had  made  so  grim. 

We  came  soon  after  to  the  desert  shore 

Which  never  yet  beheld  a  man  who  had 

Come  back,  once  having  crossed  those  waters  o'er. 

Here  then  he  girded  me  as  Cato  bade : 

Oh,  how  miraculous  !  with  instant  growth 

Sprang  up  immediately  another  spray 

In  the  same  spot  (and  of  the  same  kind  both) 

Whence  he  had  plucked  the  lowly  reed  away. 


CANTO  THE   SECOND. 

Now  that  horizon  whose  meridian  arch 
Hangs  o'er  Jerusalem  its  topmost  height, 
The  Sim  had  reached  ;  while  opposite,  her  march 
Holding  in  counter-course,  the  circling  night 
Walked  forth  from  Ganges,  bearing  in  her  hand 
The  Scales  that  she  lets  fall  with  her  advance. 
So  fair  Aurora's  cheeks,  by  ripe  age  tanned. 
From  white  and  red  grew  orange  to  my  glance. 

Still  by  the  sea  we  made  some  brief  delay, 
Like  lingering  men  that  on  their  journey  dream, 
Who  go  in  spirit,  but  in  body  stay : 
And  lo  !  as  when,  surprised  by  morning's  beam. 
Through  the  gross  vapors  Mars  doth  redly  burn 
Down  in  the  west  upon  the  ocean  floor. 


CANTO    THE  SECOND.  197 

A  light  appeared  (oh,  may  that  light  return  !) 
So  rapidly  those  waters  traveling  o'er 
That  to  its  motion  flying  were  but  slow ; 
Then,  having  momently  withdrawn  my  gaze 
To  question  of  my  Guide,  I  looked,  and  lo ! 
Larger  it  burned,  and  seemed  almost  ablaze. 
Soon  from  each  side  thereof,  although  I  knew 
Naught  what   they  were,  something   appeared   of 

white, 
And  underneath  another  of  like  hue 
Little  by  little  grew  forth  into  sight. 

My  Master  spake  not ;  I  meantime  could  spell 
Wings  in  those  first  white  objects  at  the  side. 
Soon  as  he  recognized  the  pilot  well, 
"  Behold  God's  angel !  bend  thy  knees  !  "  he  cried  ; 
"  Lift  up  thy  palms  to  him;  henceforward  more 
Such  heavenly  delegates  thou  shalt  behold ! 
Look  how  he  scorns  man's  arguments  of  oar 
And  sail,  but  simply  doth  unfold 
His  own  pure  pinions  (winnowing  the  air, 
And  heavenward  stretching  those  eternal  pens) 
From  shore  to  shore  so  distant ;  plumes  that  ne'er 
Moult  like  the  changing  tresses  that  are  men's." 
Then  as  more  near  and  nearer  to  us  drew 
That  divine  bird,  so  grew  the  splendor  more, 
Till  scarce  the  eye  could  bear  a  closer  view. 
I  bent  mine  down,  and  he  arrived  ashore 


198  PURGATORY. 

Witli  a  fleet  skiff,  so  liglit  upon  the  flood 

That  without  wake  it  skimmed  the  water's  breast. 

High  on  the  stern  the  heavenly  helmsman  stood, 

In  aspect  such  as  Holy  Writ  calls  blest. 

More  than  an  hundred  spirits  in  one  band 

Within  sat  blending  in  one  voice  their  strains, 

"  In  exitu  Israel^  from  the  land 

Of  Egypt,"  and  what  else  that  psahii  contains. 

The  sign  of  holy  cross  he  made  them  then, 
Whereat  they  bounded  all  ujDon  the  strand, 
And  he,  swift  as  he  came,  sped  back  again. 
The  crowd  that  stayed  looked  wildly  round,  and 

scanned 
The  place,  like  strangers  coming  to  things  new. 
Now  on  all  sides  had  Phoebus  pierced  the  day 
With  his  keen  arrows,  which  so  fiercely  flew 
That  Capricorn  was  chased  from  Heaven's  midway. 
When  the  new-comers  raised  their  brows  to  us. 
Saying :  "  Show  us  the  pathway,  if  ye  know. 
Up  to  the  mountain."     Virgil  answered  thus  : 
"  Perchance  you  think  we  know  this  place  ;  not  so. 
We,  like  yourselves,  are  only  pilgrims  here : 
Just  before  you,  and  by  another  way, 
We  came  a  road  so  rugged,  so  severe, 
That  climbing  this  will  seem  thereto  as  play." 
The  spirits,  by  my  breathing  who  could  guess 
That  I  was  living,  wan  with  wonder  grew  ; 


CANTO   THE  SECOND.  199 

And  just  as  people  round  a  herald  press 
Who  comes  with  olive  wreaths,  to  hear  what  new 
Tidings  he  bears,  regardless  how  they  tread. 
Thus  gathering  round,  those  favored  souls  eyed  me ; 
Each  one,  as  't  were,  forgetful  how  he  sped 
Towards  where  they  go  more  beautiful  to  be. 

One  I  beheld  before  the  rest,  who  came 
As  to  embrace  me,  with  such  look  intense 
Of  love,  it  moved  me  to  return  the  same. 
Oh,  save  in  aspect,  shadows  void  of  sense  ! 
Three  times  my  hands  around  his  form  I  threw. 
And  thrice  received  them  back  upon  my  breast. 
I  think  my  face  was  tinged  with  wonder's  hue ; 
For  the  shade  smiled  as  after  him  I  pressed, 
And,  I  still  following,  he  so  sweetly  said  : 
"  Follow  no  longer."     Whose  that  voice  must  be 
I  knew  full  well,  and  begged  him,  ere  he  fled, 
To  stay  a  little  wliile  to  speak  with  me. 

He  answered  me  :  "  As  in  my  mortal  part 
I  loved  thee  once,  I  love  thee  loose  from  clay. 
And  therefore  stop  ;  but  thou,  why  wandering  art  ?  " 
"  My  dear  Casella,  I  come  not  to  stay, 
And  must  return  where  I  am  dwelling  still. 
But  tell  me  what  has  so  delayed  thy  bliss  ?  " 
"  If  he  who  taketh  whom  and  when  he  will 
Refused  my  passage  oft,  no  wrong  was  this," 


200  PURGATORY. 

The  shade  replied;  "to  Heaven's  his  choice  con- 
forms : 
These  three  months  freely  he  hath  carried  o'er, 
At  their  own  pleasure,  the  peace-parted  swarms  ; 
Whence  I,  too,  coasting  by  the  sacred  shore, 
Where  Tiber's  waves  grow  salt,  with  gracious  hand 
Was  gathered.     Thitherward  he  now  has  gone. 
Bending  his  pinions  toward  that  opening  strand, 
Since  all  meet  there  who  seek  not  Acheron." 
Then  I :  "  Unless  the  new  laws  here  forbid 
Memory  or  use  of  that  love-laden  style 
Which  all  my  longings  once  full  gently  chid. 
Soothe  with  one  song,  beseech  thee,  for  a  while 
This  soul  of  mine  !  which,  dragging  here  its  clay, 
Is  so  worn  out."     Directly  he  began, 
"  Love  reasons  with  me,"  in  so  sweet  a  way 
That  the  same  sweetness  I  could  hear,  and  can. 
We  stood,  my  Master  and  myseK,  as  though 
Naught  else  possessed  us,  and  that  shadowy  swarm, 
Rapt,  listening  round  him  to  his  notes  ;  and  lo ! 
That  noble  old  man's  venerable  form 
Came  crying :  "  How  now,  tardy  spirits  !  why 
This  negligence  ?  why  lingermg  do  ye  plod  ? 
Run  to  the  mountain,  that  from  every  eye 
The  scales  may  fall  that  seal  your  sight  from  God." 

As  doves  (when  busy  gathering  gTain  or  tares. 
Clustered  at  pasture  in  a  single  flock. 


CANTO   THE   THIRD.  201 

Quiet,  nor  showing  their  accustomed  airs), 
If  aught  approach  the  timid  tribe  to  shock. 
Fly  from  their  food,  assailed  by  greater  care, 
So  quit  the  song  this  new-come  troop,  and  started 
Hillward,  like  one  who  goes  unknowing  where  ; 
And  with  no  less  a  pace,  we,  too,  departed. 


CANTO  THE   THIRD. 

Though  round  the  plain  their  quick  flight  scat- 
tered them, 
Bent  for  that  hill  where  reason  turns  our  tread, 
My  faithful  Guide  close  at  my  garment's  hem 
I  kept :  how  could  I  without  him  have  sped  ? 
Who  else  had  o'er  that  mountain  marshaled  me  ? 
He  seemed,  methought,  as  inly  touched  with  shame  : 
O  noble  conscience  void  of  stain,  to  thee 
How  sharp  the  bite  is  of  the  smallest  blame ! 
Soon  as  his  feet  the  hurried  movement  checked 
Which  every  action's  dignity  destroys. 
My  mind,  tiU  now  restrained  and  circumspect, 
Expanded  with  new  strength,  as  't  were  of  joy's. 
My  face  I  fixed  upon  that  hill  to  gaze 
Towards  highest  heaven  which  springeth  from  the 

wave; 
The  sun  behind  me  redly  flamed,  its  rays 
Broke  by  the  shadow  which  my  figure  gave. 


202  PURGATORY. 

When  I  perceived  before  me  that  the  ground 
Was  darkened  only  by  myself,  in  dread 
Of  being  there  deserted,  I  looked  round  ; 
And  fronting  me  in  full,  my  Comfort  said : 
"  Why  this  distrust  ?     Believ'st  thou  not  that  I 
Am  with  thee  still,  thy  leader  to  the  last  ? 
'T  is  evening  now  already  where  on  high 
My  body  lies  (which  once  a  shadow  cast), 
Buried  at  Naples,  from  Brundusium  brought. 
Now,  if  no  shade  before  me  meet  thy  sight. 
It  need  wake  no  more  marvel  in  thy  thought 
Than  why  one  ray  checks  not  another's  light. 
Omnipotence  to  such  forms  hath  assigned 
The  power  of  suffering  torments,  cold  and  heat ; 
But  how,  reveals  not  to  created  kind. 
He  is  but  mad  who  hopes  this  incomplete 
Reason  of  ours  may  track  the  infinite  way, 
Which  of  three  persons  holds  the  substance  one. 
Rest,  human  race,  contented,  when  you  say 
Simply  because  could  ye  the  whole  have  known 
No  need  had  been  for  Mary  to  have  borne ! 
And  ye  have  seen  in  hopeless  longing  those 
Who  now  to  all  eternity  must  mourn 
Desire  for  which  they  vainly  sought  repose. 
Of  Aristotle  and  of  Plato  now 
I  speak,  and  many  others."     He  remained 
Silent  at  this,  and  stood  with  bended  brow 
And  troubled  look :  meantime  the  hill  we  gained. 


CANTO   THE   THIRD.  203 

We  found  the  cliff  here  sloping  so  steep  down 

That  nimblest  legs  had  there  been  useless  quite. 

The  wildest  way  betwixt  Turbia's  town 

And  Lerici,  the  roughest,  were  a  flight, 

Compared  with  this,  of  open  easy  stairs. 

*'  Who  knows,"  my  Master  said,  and   stayed  his 

pace, 
"  Where  this  hill  slopeth,  so  that  one  who  wears 
No  wings  may  climb  it  ?  "  then  his  earnest  face 
Directed  closely  to  the  ground,  as  if 
Making  in  mind  a  study  of  the  way. 
Meantime  I  gazed  up  round  about  the  cliff ; 
And  on  the  left  hand  came  to  my  survey 
A  band  of  spirits,  moving  on  towards  us. 
That  seemed  not  moving,  for  they  came  so  slow. 
"  Lift  up  thine  eyes,"  I  to  the  Master  thus : 
"  If  of  thyself  thou  art  not  certain,  lo  ! 
Yon  souls  our  footsteps  may  direct,  perchance." 
Thereat  he  looked,  then  frankly  made  reply : 
"  Go  we  towards  them,  so  gently  they  advance ; 
And  thou,  my  sweet  son  !  keep  thy  hope  up  high." 

That  people  seemed  as  far,  when  we  had  gone 
A  thousand  steps,  I  say,  or  thereabout, 
As  a  good  flinger  might  have  cast  a  stone ; 
When  all  at  once,  like  one  who  goes  in  doubt 
And   stops   to   look,  their   moderate   march   they 
checked. 


204  PURGATORY. 

And  close  to  that  high  bank's  hard  masses  drew. 
"  O  ye  peace-parted  !     O  ye  spirits  elect ! 
Ev'n  by  that  peace  which  waits  for  each  of  you, 
As  I  believe,"  thus  Virgil  them  bespake, 
"  Inform  us  where  this  mountain  slopeth,  so 
That  its  ascent  we  may  essay  to  make  ; 
For  they  mourn  time's  loss  most,  the   most   who 
know." 

Like  lambs  that  issue  from  their  fold,  one,  two, 
Then  three  at  once  ;  the  rest  all  standing  shy, 
With  eye  and  nostril  to  the  gTound,  that  do 
Then  what  the  foremost  doth,  unknowing  why, 
And  crowd  upon  her  back  if  she  but  stand 
(Quiet  and  simple  creatures !),  thus  the  head 
I  saw  move  towards  us  of  the  happy  band. 
Modest  in  face,  and  of  a  comely  tread. 

Soon  as  their  leaders  noticed  that  the  light 
On  my  right  side  lay  broken  at  my  feet. 
So  that  my  shadow  reached  the  rocky  height, 
They  stopped  and  drew  a  little  in  retreat. 
And  all  the  others  following,  though  they  knew 
Naught  why  they  drew  back,  did  the  very  same. 
"  Without  your  question  I  confess  to  you 
That  here  you  see  a  living  human  frame : 
Hence  on  the  ground  the  sunlight  thus  is  riven. 
Marvel  not  at  it,  but  believe  ye  all 


CANTO    THE    THIRD.  205 

Not  without  virtue  by  the  Most  High  given 

This   man  hath   come   to    scale   your    mountain's 

wall." 
My  Master  thus,  and  thus  that  gracious  band : 
*'  Turn  then  and  join  us,  and  before  us  go  ; " 
And  while  some  beckoned  us  with  bended  hand. 
One  called :  "  Whoe'er  thou  art  there  journeying  so, 
Turn  !     Think  :  hast  ever  looked  on  me  before  ?  " 
I  turned  and  gazed  upon  the  one  who  spoke. 
Handsome  and  blond,  he   looked   high-born  ;    but 

o'er 
One  brow  appeared  the  severance  of  a  stroke. 
When  I  had  humbly  answered  him  that  ne'er 
Had  I  beheld  him,  "  Look!  "  he  said,  and  high 
Up  on  his  breast  showed  me  a  wound  he  bare ; 
Then  added  smilingly  :  "  Manfred  am  I, 
The  Empress  Constance'  grandson :  in  such  name 
Do  I  entreat,  when  back  thou  shalt  have  gone, 
To  my  fair  daughter  hie,  of  whose  womb  came 
Sicily's  boast  and  Aragon's  renown ; 
And  tell  her  this,  if  aught  but  truth  be  said, 
That  after  two  stabs,  each  of  power  to  kill, 
I  gave  my  soul  back,  weeping  ere  it  fled 
To  Him  who  pardoneth  of  His  own  free  will. 
My  sins  were  horrible  ;  but  large  embrace 
Infinite  Goodness  hath,  whose  arms  will  ope 
For  every  child  who  turneth  back  to  grace ; 
And  if  Cosenza's  bishop,  by  the  Pope 


206  PURGATORY. 

Clement  set  on  to  hound  me  to  the  last, 

That  page  of  Holy  Writ  had  better  read, 

My  bones  had  still  been  sheltered  from  the  blast 

Near  Benevento,  by  the  bridge's  head. 

Under  their  load  of  stones  ;  but  now  without 

The  realm  they  lie,  by  Verde's  river,  bare 

For  winds  and  rains  to  beat  and  blow  about, 

Dragged  with  quenched  candles   and  with  curses 

there. 
Yet  not  by  their  poor  malediction  can 
Souls  be  so  lost  but  that  Eternal  Love 
May  be  brought  back,  while  hope  hath  life  in  man. 
'T  is  true  that  one  who  sets  himself  above 
The  Holy  Church,  and  dies  beneath  its  ban 
(Even  though  he  had  repented  at  the  last), 
Outside  this  mount  must  unadmitted  rove 
Thirty  times  longer  than  the  term  had  been 
Of  his  presumptuous  contumacy  past, 
Unless  good  prayers  a  sborter  penance  win. 
See  now  what  power  thou  hast  to  make  me  glad  ! 
Report  of  me  to  my  good  Constance  bear. 
How  thou  saw'st  me,  and  what  I  've   told  thee, 

add; 
For  much  it  profits  us  what  they  do  there. 


CANTO   THE  FOURTH.  207 

CANTO   THE   FOURTH. 

Whene'er  the  mind,  from  any  joy  or  pain 
In  any  faculty,  to  that  alone 
Bends  its  whole  strength,  its  other  powers  remain 
Unexercised,  it  seems  (whereby  is  shown 
Plain  contradiction  of  the  erroneous  view 
Which  holds  within  us  kindled  several  souls)  ; 
Hence,  when  we  hear  or  see  a  thing  whereto 
The  mind  is  strongly  drawn,  unheeded  rolls 
The  passing  hour ;  the  man  observes  it  not : 
That  power  is  one  whereby  we  hear  or  see. 
And  that  another  which  absorbs  our  thought ; 
This  being  chained,  as  't  were,  the  former  free. 

A  real  experience  of  this  truth  had  I, 

Listening  that  soul,  and  wondering  at  such  force ; 

For  now  the  sun  full  fifty  degrees  high 

Had  risen  without  my  noticing  his  course, 

When  came  we  where  the  spirits,  with  one  voice 

all, 
Cried  out  to  us  :  "  Behold  the  place  ye  seek !  " 
A  wider  opening  oft,  in  hedge  or  wall. 
Some   farmer,   when    the    grape    first   browns   its 

cheek. 
Stops  with  one  forkful  of  his  brambles  thrown. 
Than  was  the  narrow  pass  whereby  my  Guide 


208  PURGATORY. 

Began  to  climb,  I  following  on  alone, 

While  from  our  way  I  saw  those  wanderers  glide. 

A  man  may  climb  Saint  Leo,  or  descend 
The  steeps  of  Noli,  or  Bismantua's  height 
Scale  to  the  top,  and  on  his  feet  depend  ; 
Here  one  should  fly  !     I  mean  he  needs  the  light 
Pinions  and  plumage  of  a  strong  desire, 
Under  such  leadership  as  gave  me  liojie 
And  lighted  me  my  way.     Advancing  higher 
In  through  the  broken  rock,  it  left  no  scope 
On  either  side,  but  cramped  us  close ;  the  ledge 
O'er  which  we  crept  required  both  feet  and  hands. 
When  we  had  toiled  up  to  the  utmost  edge 
Of  the  high  bank,  where  the  clear  coast  exj^ands, 
"  Which  way,"  said  I,  "  my  Master,  shall  we  take  ?  " 
And  he  to  me  :  "  Let  not  thy  foot  fall  back ; 
Still  follow  me,  and  for  the  mountain  make. 
Until  some  guide  appear  who  knows  the  track." 
Its  top  sight  reached  not,  and  the  hillside  rose 
With  far  more  salient  angle  than  the  line 
That  from  half-quadrant  to  the  centre  goes. 
Most  weary  was  I.     "  Gentle  Father  mine," 
I  thus  broke  silence,  "  turn  and  see  that  if 
Thou  stay  not  for  me,  I  remain  alone." 
"  Struggle,  my  son,  as  far  as  yonder  cliff," 
He  said,  and  pointed  upwards  to  a  zone 
Terracing  all  the  mountain  on  that  side. 


CANTO   THE  FOURTH.  209 

His  word  so  spurred  me  that  I  forced  myself, 
And  clambered  on,  still  close  behind  my  Guide, 
Until  my  feet  were  on  that  girdling  shelf. 

Here  we  sat  down,  and  turned  our  faces  towards 
The  east,  from  which  point  we  had  made  ascent 
(For  looking  back  on  toil  some  rest  affords)  ; 
And  on  the  low  shore  first  mine  eyes  I  bent, 
Then  raised  them  sunward,  wondering  as  I  gazed 
How  his  light  smote  us  from  the  left.     While  thus 
I  stared,  he  marked  how  I  beheld,  amazed. 
Day's  chariot  entering  'twixt  the  north  and  us. 
"  Were  yonder  mirror  now,"  the  Poet  said, 
''  That   with   his   light   leads   up    and   down   the 

spheres. 
In  Castor  and  Pollux,  thou  wouldst  see  the  red 
Zodiac  revolving  closer  to  the  Bears, 
If  it  swerved  nothing  from  its  ancient  course ; 
Which  fact  to  fathom  wouldst  thou  power   com- 
mand. 
Imagine,  with  thy  mind's  collected  force. 
This  mount  and  Zion  so  on  earth  to  stand 
That,  though  in  adverse  hemispheres,  the  twain 
One  sole  horizon  have  :  thence  't  is  not  hard 
To  see  (if  clear  thine  intellect  remain) 
How  the  sun's  road,  which  Phaethon,  ill  starred, 
Knew  not  to  keep,  must  pass  that  mountain  o'er 
On  one,  and  this  hill  on  the  other  side." 


210  PURGATORY. 

"  Certes,  my  Master,  ne'er  saw  I  before 

So  clear  as  at  this  moment,"  I  replied, 

"  Where    seemed    but    now     my     understanding 

maimed. 
How  the  mid-circle  of  the  heavenly  spheres 
And  of  their  movements  (the  Equator  named 
In  special  term  of  art),  which  never  veers 
From  its  old  course,  'twixt  winter  and  the  sim, 
Yet  for  the  reason  thou  dost  now  assign 
Towards  the  Septentrion  from  this  point  doth  run, 
While  to  the  Jews  it  bore  a  south  decline. 
But  if  it  please  thee,  gladly  would  I  learn 
How  far  we  have  to  journey ;  for  so  high 
This  hill  soars  that  mine  eyes  cannot  discern 
The  to23  thereof."     He  made  me  this  reply : 

"  Such  is  this  mountain  that  for  one  below 
The  first  ascent  is  evermore  severe ; 
It  grows  less  painful  higher  as  we  go. 
So  when  to  thee  it  pleasant  shall  appear, 
That  no  more  toil  thy  climbing  shall  attend 
Than  sailing  down  the  way  the  current  flows. 
Then  art  thou  near  unto  thy  pathway's  end ; 
There  from  thy  labor  look  to  find  repose. 
I  know  that  this  is  true,  but  say  no  more." 
And  this  word  uttered,  not  far  off  addressed 
Me  thus  a  voice  :  "  It  may  be  that  before 
That  pass  thou  wilt  have  need  to  sit  and  rest." 


CANTO   THE  FOURTH.  211 

At  sound  thereof  we  both  looked  round,  and  there 
Beheld  a  huge  rock,  close  to  our  left  hand. 
Whereof  till  now  we  had  not  been  aware  : 
Thither  we  toiled,  and  in  its  shade  a  band 
Behind  it  stood  with  a  neglectful  air, 
As  men  in  idleness  are  wont  to  stand. 

And  one  was  seated,  hanging  down  his  face 

Between  his  knees,  which  he  with  languid  limb, 

Looking  exhausted,  held  in  his  embrace. 

"  O  my  sweet  Seignior !  "  I  exclaimed,  "  note  him ! 

Lazier  looking  than  had  laziness  been 

His  sister  born."     Turning  towards  us,  at  length 

He  gazed,  slow  lifting  o'er  his  thigh  his  chin. 

And  drawled  :  "  Go  up,  then,  thou  who  hast  such 

strength." 
I  knew  who  that  was  then  !  and  though  the  ascent 
Had  made  me  pant  somewhat,  I  kept  my  pace, 
Spite  of  short  breath ;  close  up  to  him  I  went. 
And  he  droned  forth,  scarce  lifting  up  his  face  : 
"  Hast  thou  found  out  yet  how  the  sun  this  way 
O'er  thy  left  shoulder  doth  his  chariot  guide  ?  " 
His  sloth,  and  what  few  words  he  had  to  say, 
Made  me  smile  slightly,  and  I  thus  replied : 
*'  No  more,  Belacqua,  do  I  mourn  thy  fate. 
But  tell  me  wherefore  in  this  place  I  see 
Thee  sitting  thus  ?     Dost  thou  for  escort  wait, 
Or  has  thine  old  slow  habit  seized  on  thee  ?  " 


212  PURGATORY. 

And  he :  "  O  brotlier !  what  boots  it  to  climb  ? 

God's  angel  sitting  at  the  gate  denies 

Me  way  to  penance  until  so  much  time 

Be  past  as,  living,  I  beheld  the  skies. 

Outside  I  must  remain  here  for  the  crime 

Of  dallying  to  the  last  my  contrite  sighs, 

Unless  I  happily  some  help  derive 

From  the  pure  prayer  ascending  from  a  heart 

That  lives  in  grace ;  a  prayer  not  thus  alive 

Heaven  doth  not  hear :  what  aid  can  such  impart  ?  " 

Now  before  me  the  Poet  up  the  height 
Began  to  climb,  saying :  "  Come  on,  for  o'er 
This  hill's  meridian  hangs  the  sun,  and  night 
Sets  foot  already  on  Morocco's  shore." 


CANTO   THE   FIFTH. 

Already  parted  from  those  shades,  I  went 
Following  the  footsteps  of  my  Guide,  when  one 
Behind  me  towards  my  form  his  finger  bent. 
Exclaiming :  "  See  !  no  ray  falls  from  the  sun 
To  the  left  hand  of  him  that  walks  below ! 
And  sure  !   he  moveth  like  a  living  man." 
Mine  eyes  I  turned,  at  hearing  bim  say  so, 
And  saw  them  with  a  gaze  all  wonder  scan 
Now  me,  still  me,  and  now  the  broken  light 


CANTO   THE  FIFTH.  213 

My  body  caused.     The  Master  then  to  me : 
"  Why  let  thy  wonder  keep  thee  from  the  height 
To  drag  so  slowly  ?     What  concerns  it  thee 
What  here  is  whispered  ?     Only  follow  thou 
After  my  steps,  and  let  the  crowd  talk  on : 
Stand  like  a  tower  firm-based  !  that  will  not  bow 
Its  head  to  breath  of  winds  that  soon  are  gone. 
The  man  o'er  whose  thought  second  thought  hath 

sway 
Wide  of  his  mark  is  ever  sure  to  miss, 
Because  one  force  the  other  wears  away." 
What  could  I  answer  but  "  I  come,"  to  this  ? 
I  said  it,  something  sprinkled  with  the  hue 
Which,  in  less  faults,  excuseth  one  from  blame. 
Meanwhile,  across  the  mountain-side  there  drew, 
Just  in  our  front,  a  train  that,  as  they  came, 
Sang  Miserere.,  verse  by  verse.     When  they 
Observed  my  form,  and  noticed  that  I  gave 
No  passage  through  me  to  the  solar  ray, 
Into  a  long  hoarse  "  Oh  !  "  they  changed  their  stave ; 
And  two,  as  envoys,  ran  up  with  demand : 
"  In  what  condition  is  it  that  ye  go  ?  " 
And  my  Lord  said :  "  Return  ye  to  the  band 
Who  sent  you  towards  us,  and  give  them  to  know 
This  body  is  true  flesh.     If  they  delayed 
At  sight  (I  deem  so)  of  the  shadow  here, 
Thereby  sufficient  answer  shall  be  made : 
Him  let  them  reverence ;  it  may  prove  dear." 


214  PURGATORY. 

I  never  saw  a  meteor  dart  so  quick 
Through  the  serene  at  midnight,  or  a  gleam 
Of  lightning  flash  at  sunset  through  a  thick 
Piled  xlugust  cloud,  but  these  would  faster  seem 
As  they  retreated  ;  having  joined  the  rest, 
Back  like  an  unreined  troop  towards  us  they  sped. 
"  This  throng  is  large  by  whom  we  thus  are  pressed, 
And  come  to  implore  of  thee,"  the  Poet  said ; 
"  Therefore  keep  on,  and  as  thou  mov'st  attend." 

"  O  soul  who  travelest,  with  the  very  frame 
Which  thou  wert  born  with,  to  thy  blessed  end, 
Stay  thy  step  somewhat !  "    Crying  thus  they  came. 
"  Look  if  among  us  any  thou  dost  know. 
That  thou  of  him  to  earth  mayst  tidings  bear. 
Stay  !  wilt  thou  not  ?     Ah  !  wherefore  must  thou 

go? 
We  to  our  dying  hour  were  sinners  there, 
And  all  were  slain  ;  but  at  the  murderous  blow 
Warned   us    an    instant    light    that   flashed  from 

Heaven, 
And  all  from  life  did  peacefully  depart. 
Contrite,  forgiving,  and  by  Him  forgiven. 
To  look  on  whom  such  longing  yearns  our  heart." 
"  None  do  I  recognize,"  I  answered,  "  even 
Scanning  your  faces  with  mine  utmost  art ; 
But  whatsoe'er,  ye  sacred  souls,  I  may 
To  give  you  comfort,  sj)eak,  and  I  will  do ; 


CANTO   THE  FIFTH.  215 

Yea,  by  that  peace  which  leads  me  on  my  way 
From  world  to  world  such  guidance  to  pursue." 

"  Without  such  protestation,"  one  replied, 

"  Unless  thy  will  a  want  of  power  defeat, 

In  thy  kind  offices  we  all  confide ; 

Whence  I,  sole  speaking  before  these,  entreat 

If  thou  mayst  e'er  the  territory  see 

That  lies  betwixt  Komagna  and  the  seat 

Where  Charles  hath  sway,  that  thou  so  courteous  be 

As  to  implore  the  men  in  Fano's  town 

To  put  up  prayers  there  earnestly  for  me. 

That  I  may  purge  the  sins  that  weigh  me  down. 

There  I  was  born  ;  but  those  deep  wounds  of  mine 

Through  which  my  life-blood  issued  I  received 

Among  the  children  of  Antenor's  line, 

Where  most  secure  my  person  I  believed ; 

'T  was  through  that  lord  of  Este  I  was  sped 

Who,  past  all  justice,  had  me  in  his  hate. 

O'ertak'n  at  Oriaco,  had  I  fled 

Towards  Mira,  still  where  breath  is  I  might  wait. 

But  to  the  marsh  I  made  my  way  instead, 

And  there,  entangled  in  the  cany  brake 

And  mire,  I  fell,  and  on  the  ground  saw  spread. 

From  mine  own  veins  outpoured,  a  living  lake." 

Here  spake  another  :  "  Oh,  may  that  desire 
So  be  fulfilled  which  to  the  lofty  mount 


216  PURGATORY. 

Conducts  thy  feet,  as  thou  shalt  bring  me  nigher 
To  mine  by  thy  good  prayers.     I  am  the  Count 
Buonconte ;  Montefeltro's  lord  was  I. 
Giovanna  cares  not ;  no  one  cares  for  me : 
Therefore  with  these  I  go  dejectedly." 
And  I  to  him  :  "  What  violence  took  thee, 
Or  chance  of  war,  from  Campaldino  then 
So  far  that  none  e'er  knew  thy  burial-place  ?  " 
"  Oh  !  "  answered  he,  "  above  the  hermit's  glen 
A  stream  whose  course  is  Casentino's  base 
Springs  in  the  Apennine,  Archiano  called. 
There,  where  that  name  is  lost  in  Arno's  flood, 
Exliausted  I  arrived,  footsore  and  galled. 
Pierced  in  my  throat,  painting  the  plain  with  blood. 
Here  my  sight  failed  me,  and  I  fell ;  the  last 
Word  that  I  spake  was  Mary's  name,  and  then 
From  my  deserted  flesh  the  spirit  passed. 
The  truth  I  tell  now,  tell  to  living  men ! 
God's  angel  took  me,  but  that  fiend  of  Hell 
Screamed   out :    '  Ha !    thou   from    Heaven,   why 

robb'st  thou  me  ? 
His  soul  thou  gett'st  for  one  small  tear  that  fell, 
But  of  this  offal  other  work  I  '11  see.' 
Thou  know'st  how  vapors,  gathering  in  the  air, 
Mount  to  the  cold,  and  there,  condensed,  distill 
Back  into  water.     That  Bad  Will  which  ne'er 
Seeks  aught  but  evil  joined  his  evil  will 
With  intellect,  and,  from  the  great  force  given 


CANTO   THE  FIFTH.  217 

By  his  fell  nature,  moved  the  mist  and  wind, 
And  o'er  tlie  valley  drew  the  darkened  heaven, 
Covering  it  with  clouds  as  day  declined 
From  Pratomagno  far  as  the  great  chain, 
So  that  the  o'er  burdened  air  to  water  turned ; 
Then  the  floods  fell,  and  every  rivulet's  vein 
Swelled  with  the  superflux  the  soaked  earth  spurned. 
When  to  large  streams  the  mingling  torrents  grew, 
Down  to  the  royal  river  with  such  force 
They  rushed  that  no  restraint  their  fury  knew. 
Here  fierce  Archiano  found  my  frozen  corse 
Stretched  at  its  mouth,  and  into  Arno's  wave 
Dashed  it,  and  loosened  from  my  breast  the  sign 
(Which  when  mine  anguish  mastered  me  I  gave) 
Of  holy  cross  with  my  crossed  arms  :  in  fine. 
O'er  bed  and  bank  my  form  the  streamlet  drave 
Whirling,  and  with  its  own  clay  covered  mine." 

"  Oh,  stay !  when  thou  shalt  walk  the  world  once 

more. 
And  have  repose  from  that  long  way  of  thine," 
Said  the  third  spirit,  following  those  before, 
"  Remember  Pia !  for  that  name  was  mine. 
Sienna  gave  me  birth  ;  Maremma's  fen 
Was  my  undoing :  he  knows  that  full  well 
Who  ringed  my  finger  with  his  gem,  and  then, 
After  espousal,  took  me  there  to  dwell." 


218  PURGATORY. 

CANTO   THE   SIXTH. 

When  from  tlie  game  of  hazard  men  depart, 
The  loser  stays,  and,  casting  o'er  his  throws, 
Learns  a  hard  lesson  with  a  heavy  heart. 
While  with  the  winner  all  the  assembly  goes : 
One  runs  before,  one  plucks  his  robe  behind ; 
But  he  delays  not,  though  beside  his  way 
Another  comrade  calls  himself  to  mind  ; 
And  every  one  perceives  that  he  would  say, 
"  Press   me    no    more  / "    to   whom    he   lifts   his 

hand. 
And  by  so  doing  keeps  the  crowd  at  bay ; 
Such  I  was,  freeing  me  from  that  dense  band, 
To  this  and  that  one  bending  my  survey, 
And  promising  to  answer  each  demand. 

Here  was  that  Aretine  whose  lethal  wound 
The  savage  hands  of  Ghin'  di  Tacco  made  ; 
Also  that  knight  who  in  pursuit  was  dro^vned. 
Here  with  stretched  pahns  Frederic  Novello  prayed ; 
The  Pisan,  too,  at  whose  defeat  his  sire. 
Good  old  Marzucco,  showed  a  strength  sublime. 
I  saw  Count  Orso,  and  that  soul  whom  dire 
Envy  and  spite,  but  no  committed  crime. 
Tore  from  his  mortal  frame,  as  he  declared ; 
Pierre  de  la  Brosse  I  mean :  so,  while  she  may, 


CANTO   THE  SIXTH.  219 

Be  that  bad  woman  of  Brabant  prepared, 
Lest  she  go  join  a  far  worse  flock  than  they ! 

When  I  had  freed  me  from  the  gathering  press 

Of  shadows  praying  still  that  others'  prayers 

Might  hasten  forward  their  own  blessedness, 

I  thus  began  :  "  Thy  page,  my  Light !  declares 

Expressly,  in  one  text,  that  Heaven's  decree 

To  no  beseeching  bendeth.     Yet  this  race 

Prays  with  such  purpose  :  will  their  praying  be 

Without  avail  ?  or  have  I  in  that  place 

Misread  thy  word  ?  "     He  answered  :  "  It  is  gross 

And  plain  to  reason ;  no  fallacious  hope 

Is  theirs,  if  thy  sound  mind  consider  close. 

The  topmost  height  of  judgment  doth  not  slope, 

Because  love's  fire  may  instantly  complete 

The  penance  due  from  one  of  these  ;  but  where 

I  closed  that  point  with  words  which  you  repeat, 

A  gulf  betwixt  the  Most  High  was  and  prayer: 

No  praying  there  could  cover  past  defect. 

Yet  verily,  in  so  profound  a  doubt 

Rest  not,  till  she  who  'twixt  thine  intellect 

And  truth  shall  be  thy  light  herself  speak  out. 

Dost  understand  me  ?     Beatrice  I  mean. 

Thou  shalt  behold  her  in  a  loftier  place, 

This  mountain  summit,  smiling  and  serene." 

"  Good  Guide,"  said  I,  *'  then  let  us  mend  our  pace ; 

I  feel  no  more  my  weariness  :  o'er  us 


220  PURGATORY. 

The  mountain  shadow  grows,  and  hides  mine  own.'* 
"  We  will  go  forward,"  he  gave  answer  thus, 
"  Far  as  we  can,  ere  this  day's  light  be  gone  ; 
But   thy   thought  wanders   from   the   fact.     That 

height 
Ere  thou  canst  gain,  thou  shalt  behold  the  day's 
Returning  orb,  who  now  so  hides  his  light 
Behind  the  hill  that  thou  break'st  not  his  rays. 
But,  yonder,  look !  one  spirit  all  alone. 
By  itself  stationed,  bends  toward  us  his  gaze : 
The  readiest  passage  will  by  him  be  shown." 

We  came  up  towards  it.     O  proud  Lombard  soul ! 
How  thou  didst  wait,  in  thy  disdain  unstirred, 
And  thy  majestic  eyes  didst  slowly  roll ! 
Meanwhile,  to  us  it  never  uttered  word, 
But  let  us  move,  just  giving  us  a  glance, 
Like  as  a  lion  looks  in  his  repose. 
Then  Virgil,  making  a  more  near  advance, 
Prayed  him  to  show  us  where  the  mountain  rose 
With  easier  slope ;  and  still  that  soul  replied 
Nothing  to  his  demand,  but  question  made 
About  life  and  our  country.     My  sweet  Guide 
Began  to  answer,  "  Mantua,"  and  the  shade 
From  where  it  had  been,  separate  from  his  band. 
All  rapt  in  self,  sprang  up  towards  him  in  haste, 
Saying :  "  O  Mantuan,  I  am  of  thy  land  ! 
I  am  Sordello."     And  the  twain  embraced. 


CANTO   THE  SIXTH.  221 

All,  slavish  Italy  !  tliou  common  inn 

For  woe  to  lodge  at !  without  pilot,  thou 

Ship  in  great  tempest !  not  what  thou  hast  been, 

Lady  of  provinces,  but  brothel  now  ! 

That  gentle  soul  so  quickly,  at  the  dear 

Sound  that  recalled  his  country,  forward  came 

To  grace  his  townsman  with  a  greeting  here ; 

And  now  thy  living  children,  to  their  shame. 

Are  all  at  war,  and  they  who  dwell  most  near 

Prey,  each  on  each,  with  moat  and  wall  the  same ! 

Search,  wretched !  search  all   round  thine   either 

coast. 
And  then  look  inland  in  thy  bosom  ;  see 
If  peace  in  any  part  of  thee  thou  know'st ! 
What  though  Justinian  made  new  reins  for  thee  ? 
What  boots  it  if  the  saddle  remain  void  ? 
Without  his  mending  thy  disgrace  were  less. 
And  O  ye  tribe  that  ought  to  be  employed 
In  your  devotions,  and  let  Caesar  press 
The  seat  of  Caesar,  if  God's  word  you  heed  ! 
See,  since  your  hand  hath  on  the  bridle  been. 
How  wanton  grown  and  wicked  is  the  steed. 
Through  want  from  you  of  the  spur's  discipline. 
O  German  Albert !  who  abandonest 
Her  now  run  wild,  unchecked  by  curb  of  thine, 
When  thou  shouldst  ride  her  with  thy  heels  hard- 
pressed. 
May  Heaven's  just  judgment  light  upon  thy  line  ! 


222  PURGATORY. 

And  be  it  sometliing  strange  and  manifest, 

To  make  liim  tremble  that  comes  after  tbee  ; 

Because,  for  lust  of  barren  fiefs  out  tbere. 

Thou  and  thy  father  have  not  shamed  to  see 

The  empire's  garden  desolate  and  bare. 

Come  see  the  Capulets  and  Montagues, 

Monaldi,  Filippeschi,  O  thou  being 

Without  concern !  these  wan  with  fears,  and  those 

Already  crushed  :  come  sate  thyseK  with  seeing. 

Thou  cruel  man,  the  outrage  that  is  done 

To  thy  best  blood,  and  make  their  bruises  well ! 

And  thou  shalt  see  likewise,  cold  looker-on, 

Santafiore's  lords,  how  safe  they  dwell. 

Come  see  thy  Rome,  that,  mourning  all  alone, 

Weepeth,  a  widow,  calling  day  and  night ; 

"  Why,  O  my  Caesar,  dost  thou  leave  thine  own  ?  " 

Come  see  what  love  there,  how  all  hearts  unite ! 

And  if  no  pity  move  thee  at  our  moan, 

Blush  for  thy  fame,  beholding  such  a  sight. 

And,  lawful  if  I  speak,  O  most  high  Jove, 

Who  wast  for  our  sakes  crucified  on  earth  I 

Are  Thy  just  eyes,  who  watchest  men  above. 

Turned  elsewhere?     Or  is  this,  before  the  birth 

Of  some  great  good,  a  preparation  hid 

From  us  in  the  abyss  of  thy  intent. 

That  all  the  Italian  towns  are  tyrant-rid. 

And  every  clown  that  comes  on  faction  bent 

Makes  as  much  clamor  as  Marcellus  did  ? 


CANTO   THE  SIXTH.  223 

My  Florence  !  well  mayst  thou  remain  content 
At  this  digression  ;  it  concerns  not  thee, 
Thanks  to  thy  people,  great  in  argument ! 
Many  with  justice  in  their  hearts  there  be 
Who  stay  the  shaft,  lest,  coming  to  the  bow 
Without  discretion,  it  might  err  ;  but  they 
On  their  lips  wear  it.     Many  men  are  slow 
To  serve  the  state,  and  turn  from  place  away ; 
Thy  people  do  not !  every  one  bends  low, 
Crying  before  he  's  called  for,  "  I  obey." 
Now  make  thee  joyful,  who  mayst  triumph  well ; 
Thou  who  art  rich,  so  wise,  and  so  at  peace  ! 
If  I  speak  true  in  this,  let  the  truth  tell. 
Athens  and  Sparta,  that  raised  civil  Greece 
To  such  a  height,  and  framed  the  ancient  laws. 
Towards  the  well-ordered  life  made  small  beginning 
Compared  with  thee,  whose  legislation  draws 
Threads  out  so  fine  that  thine  October  spinning 
Comes  before  mid-November  to  a  pause. 
How  many  times  hast  thou  renewed  thy  men, 
Yea,  within  days  that  in  thy  memory  dwell, 
And  changed  thy  laws  and  offices,  and  then 
Customs  and  coins  !     If  thou  remember  well, 
Thou  wilt  behold  thyself  (unless  quite  blind), 
Like  a  sick  woman,  restless,  that  in  vain 
Seeks  on  her  pillow  some  repose  to  find. 
And  turns  and  turns,  as  't  were  to  parry  pain. 


224  PURGATORY. 

CANTO   THE   SEVENTH. 

Three  times  and  four  these  greetings  glad  and  free 

Had  been  repeated,  when  Sordello's  shade 

Drew  from  embrace,  and  said :  "  Now,  who  are  ye  ?  " 

And  thereupon  my  Guide  this  answer  made  : 

"  Ere  to  this  mountain  those  just  souls,  to  whom 

Heavenward  to  climb  was  given,  had  guided  been, 

My  bones  Octavian  gathered  to  the  tomb. 

Virgil  I  am,  and  for  none  other  sin 

But  want  of  faith  was  I  from  Heaven  shut  out." 

Like  one  who  suddenly  before  him  sees 

Something  that  wakes  his  wonder,  whence,  in  doubt» 

He  says,  "  It  is  not ;  "  then,  believing,  "  ^  Tis  I  " 

Sordello  stood  ;  then  back  to  him,  without 

Lifting  his  eyelids,  turned  and  clasped  his  knees. 

"  O  glory  of  the  Latin  race  !  "  he  cried, 

"  Through  whom  to  such  a  height  our  language  rose ; 

O  of  my  birthplace  everlasting  pride  ! 

What  merit  or  grace  on  me  thy  sight  bestows, 

Tell  me,  unless  to  hear  thee  is  denied ; 

Com'st  thou  from  Hell,  or  where  hast  thou  repose  ?  " 

He  to  this  answered :  "  Grace  from  Heaven  moved 

me. 
And  leads  me  still ;  the  circles  every  one 
Of  sorrow's  kinp'dom  have  I  trod  to  thee. 


CANTO   THE  SEVENTH.  225 

My  sight  is  barred  from  that  supernal  sun 
(Whom  I  knew  late,  and  thou  desir'st  to  see), 
Not  for  I  did,  but  for  I  left  undone. 
A  place  below  there  is,  where  no  groans  rise 
From  torment,  sad  alone  with  want  of  light. 
Where  the  lament  sounds  not  like  moan,  but  sighs. 
The  little  innocents  whom  death's  fell  bite 
Snatched,  ere  their  stain  was  purified,  are  there : 
And  there  I  dwell  with  guiltless  ones  that  still 
The  three  most  holy  virtues  did  not  wear. 
Though  all  the  rest  they  knew,  and  did  fulfil. 
But  if  thou  knowest,  and  mayst  us  apprise, 
Tell  us  how  we  most  speedily  may  find 
Where  Purgatory's  actual  entrance  lies." 

"  We  have,"  he  answered,  "  no  set  place  assigned ; 
Around  and  upward  I  am  free  to  stray : 
My  guidance,  far  as  I  may  go,  I  lend. 
But  see  how  fast  already  fails  the  day ! 
And  in  the  night  none  ever  can  ascend  : 
Best,  then,  we  think  of  some  good  resting-place. 
Some  souls  there  be,  removed  here  to  the  right, 
Whom,  if  thou  wilt,  I  '11  show  thee  face  to  face. 
And  thou  shalt  know  them  not  without  delight." 
"  How,  then,"  said  Virgil,  "  should  a  soul  aspire 
To  climb  by  night,  would  other  check  be  found, 
Or  his  own  weakness  hinder  his  desire  ?  " 
And  good  Sordello  drew  along  the  ground 


226  PURGATORY. 

His  finger,  saying  :  "  Look !  not  even  this  line 
Mayst  thou  pass  over  when  the  sun  hath  gone. 
Not  that  aught  else,  though,  would  thy  power  confine, 
Save  want  of  light,  from  journeying  upwards  on  : 
Darkness  makes  impotent  thy  will.     By  night 
One  may  go  back  again,  and  grope  below, 
And,  while  the  horizon  shuts  the  day  from  sight, 
Wander  about  the  hillside  to  and  fro." 
My  Master  then,  as  't  were  in  wonder,  spake  : 
*'  Now  lead  us  thitherward  where  thou  hast  said 
That  we  in  lingering  shall  such  pleasure  take." 
Nor  had  we  forward  far  advanced  our  tread. 
When  I  perceived  that  on  the  mountain-side 
A  valley  opened,  just  like  valleys  here. 
"  We  will  go  forward,"  said  our  shadowy  guide, 
"  Where  on  the  slope  yon  hollow  doth  appear ; 
There  let  us  wait  the  dawning  of  the  day." 
'Twixt  steep  and  level  went  a  winding  path 
Which  led  us  where  the  vale-side  dies  away. 
Till  less  than  half  its  height  the  margin  hath. 

Gold  and  fine  silver,  ceruse,  cochineal, 
India's  rich  wood,  heaven's  lucid  blue  serene. 
Or  glow  that  emeralds  freshly-broke  reveal. 
Had  all  been  vanquished  by  the  varied  sheen 
Of  this  bright  valley  set  with  shrubs  and  flowers, 
As  less  by  greater.     Nor  had  Nature  there 
Only  in  painting  spent  herself,  but  showers 


CANTO   THE  SEVENTH.  -227 

Of  odors  manifold  made  sweet  the  air, 

With  one  strange  mingling  of  confused  perfume  ; 

And  there  new  spirits,  chanting,  I  descried, 

"  Salve  Regina  !  "  seated  on  the  bloom 

And  verdure  sheltered  by  the  dingle  side. 

"  Ere  yon  low  sun  shall  nestle  in  his  bed," 
Began  the  Mantuan  who  had  brought  us  here, 
"  Desire  not  down  among  them  to  be  led ; 
You  better  will  observe  how  they  appear. 
Both  face  and  action,  from  this  bank,  instead 
Of  mixing  with  them  in  the  dale.     That  one 
Who  sits  the  highest,  looking,  'mid  the  throng. 
As  though  some  duty  he  had  left  undone. 
Who  moves  his  lips  not  with  the  rest  in  song. 
Was  Rodolph  Emperor  ;  he  who  might  have  healed 
Those  wounds  which  Italy  have  so  far  spent 
That  slow  relief  all  other  helpers  yield. 
The  other,  that  on  soothing  him  seems  bent. 
Once  ruled  the  region  whence  those  waters  are 
Which  Moldau  bears  to  Elbe,  and  Elbe  the  sea. 
His  name  was  Ottocar  ;  and  better  far. 
Yea,  in  his  very  swaddling-robe,  was  he 
Than  Vincislaiis,  his  big-bearded  son. 
Whom  luxury  and  ease  have  made  so  gross. 
And  he  of  slender  nose,  who,  with  the  one 
So  bland  of  aspect,  seems  in  consult  close, 
Died  flying,  and  in  dust  his  lilies  laid. 


228  PURGATORY. 

Look  1  liow  lie  beats  the  breast  he  cannot  calm. 
Mark  too  liis  mate  there,  sighing,  who  hath  made 
For  his  pale  cheek  a  pillow  of  his  palm ; 
One  is  the  father  of  that  pest  of  France, 
Father-in-law  the  other  :  well  they  know 
His  lewd,  base  life  !     This  misery  is  the  lance 
That  to  the  core  cuts  either  of  them  so. 
And  he  so  stout  of  limb,  in  unison 
Singing  with  him  there  of  the  manly  nose, 
Of  every  virtue  put  the  girdle  on  ; 
And  if  that  youth  behind  him,  in  repose, 
Had,  after  him,  reigned  in  his  father's  stead. 
Virtue  from  vase  to  vase  had  been  well  poured, 
Which  of  the  other  heirs  may  not  be  said. 
Frederic  and  James  now  o'er  those  kingdoms  lord. 
In  whom  that  better  heritage  lies  dead. 
Rarely  doth  human  goodness  rise  again 
Through  the  tree's  branches :    He  hath  willed  it  so 
Who  gives  this  boon  of  excellence,  that  men 
Should  ask  of  Him  who  can  alone  bestow. 
Not  more  these  words  of  mine  at  Peter  glance 
Than  him  he  sings  with  (of  the  large  nose  there), 
Whose  loss  Apulia  mourneth,  and  Provence, 
So  ill  the  tree  doth  with  its  stock  compare  ! 
Even  so  much  more  of  her  good  lord  his  wife 
Constance  yet  vaunts  herself,  than  Margaret  may. 
Or  Beatrice.     That  king  of  simplest  life, 
Harry  of  England,  seated  there,  survey 


CANTO   THE   EIGHTH.  229 

All  by  himself  :  his  branches  are  more  blest ! 
The  one  who  sits  there  with  uplifted  gaze 
Among  the  group,  but  lower  than  the  rest, 
Is  Marquis  William,  in  whose  cause  the  frays 
Of  Alexandria  have  with  grief  oppressed 
Both  Monferrato  and  the  Canavese." 


CANTO   THE   EIGHTH. 

'T  WAS  now  the  hour  that  brings  to  men  at  sea. 

Who  in  the  morn  have  bid  sweet  friends  farewell, 

Fond  thoughts  and  longing  back  with  them  to  be ; 

And  thrills  the  pilgrim  with  a  tender  spell 

Of  love,  if  haply,  new  upon  his  way, 

He  faintly  hear  a  chime  from  some  far  bell, 

That  seems  to  mourn  the  dying  of  the  day ; 

When  I  forbore  my  listening  faculty 

To  mark  one  spirit  uprisen  amid  the  band 

Who  joined  both  palms  and  lifted  them  on  high, 

(First  having  claimed  attention  with  his  hand). 

And  towards  the  orient  bent  so  fixed  an  eye 

As  't  were  he  said :  "  My  God  I  on  thee  alone 

My  longing  rests.^^    Then  from  his  lips  there  came 

Te  lucis  ante^  so  devout  of  tone, 

So  sweet,  my  mind  was  ravished  by  the  same. 

The  others  next,  full  sweetly  and  devout, 

Fixing  their  gaze  on  the  supernal  wheels, 

Followed  him,  chanting  the  whole  psalm  throughout. 


230  PURGATORY. 

Now,  reader,  to  the  truth  my  verse  conceals 
Make  sharp  thy  vision  ;  subtle  is  the  veil 
So  fine  't  were  easily  passed  through  unseen. 
I  saw  that  gentle  army  meek  and  pale, 
Silently  gazing  upward  with  a  mien 
As  of  expectancy  ;  and  from  on  high 
Beheld  two  ang^els  with  two  swords  descend 
Which  flamed  with  fire,  but,  as  I  could  descry, 
They  bare  no  points,  being  broken  at  the  end. 
Green  robes,  in  hue  more  delicate  than  spring's 
Tender  new  leaves,  they  trailed  behind,  and  fanned 
With  gentle  beating  of  their  verdant  wings. 
One,  coming  near,  just  over  us  took  stand ; 
Down  to  th'  opponent  bank  the  other  sped. 
So  that  the  spirits  were  between  them  grouped. 
Full  well  could  I  discern  each  flaxen  head ; 
But  in  their  faces  mine  eyes'  virtue  drooped. 
As  't  were  confounded  by  excess  and  dread. 
"  From  Mary's  bosom  they  have  both  come  here," 
SordeUo  said,  "  this  valley  to  protect 
Against  the  serpent  that  will  soon  appear :  " 
Whence  I,  unknowing  which  way  to  expect 
This  object,  turned  me  almost  froze  with  fear, 
And  to  those  trusty  shoulders  closely  clung. 
Again  SordeUo :  "  Go  we  down  and  see 
These  mighty  shades,  and  let  them  hear  our  tongue. 
Thy  presence  will  to  them  right  gracious  be." 
Only  three  steps  I  think  brought  me  below 


CANTO   THE   EIGHTH.  231 

Where  one  I  noticed,  solely  eying  me, 
As  if  who  I  midit  be  he  fain  would  know. 


'T  was  dusk,  yet  not  so  but  the  dusky  air 
Between  his  eyes  and  mine,  within  the  dell, 
Showed  what  before  it  did  not  quite  declare. 
Towards  me  he  moved,  and  I  towards  him  as  well : 
Gentle  Judge  Nino,  when  I  saw  thee  there 
What  joy  was  mine  to  find  thee  not  in  Hell ! 
We  left  unsaid  no  form  of  fair  salute  : 
Then   he   inquired :  "  How  long  since  thou  didst 

come 
O'er  the  far  waters  to  the  mountain's  foot  ?  " 
"  Oh,  but  this  morn,"  said  I,  "  the  realms  of  gloom 
I  passed :  in  the  first  life  I  am,  but  fain 
Would  find  the  next,  by  following  on  this  track." 
Like  to  men  suddenly  amazed,  the  twain. 
He  and  Sordello,  hearing  this,  drew  back. 
One  looked  at  Virgil,  one  into  the  face 
Of  a  companion  sitting  there,  and  cried, 
"Up,  Conrad !  see  what  God  hath  of  His  grace 
Bestowed,"  then  turning  unto  me  replied : 
"  By  that  especial  reverence,  I  beseech. 
Which  thou  ow'st  Him  whose  primal  way  is  hid 
So  that  none  sound  it !  if  soe'er  thou  reach 
The  shore  beyond  the  vasty  waters,  bid 
My  child  Giovanna  for  my  peace  implore 
There  where  the  cry  of  innocents  heaven  heeds. 


232  PURGATORY. 

Her  mother,  I  am  sure,  loves  me  no  more 
Since  she  put  off  her  widow's  paly  weeds, 
But,  in  her  misery,  fain  would  wear  this  day. 
From  her  full  readily  may  one  be  taught 
How  soon  love's  flame  in  woman  dies  away, 
If  sight  or  touch  full  oft  relume  it  not. 
The  chanticleer  upon  Gallura's  shield 
Had  graced  her  sepulchre  with  fairer  show 
Than  will  that  viper,  which  to  battlefield 
Marshals  the  men  of  Milan."     With  such  glow 
He  uttered  this,  as  in  his  face  revealed 
The  heart's  just  passion  smouldering  yet  below. 

Still  that  sole  part  of  heaven  I  fondly  eyed 
Where  the  stars  move,  even  as  a  wheel  doth  move 
More  slowly  next  the  axle.     Said  my  Guide : 
"  Son,  what  dost  thou  so  gaze  at  there  above  ?  " 
"  Up  there  at  yon  three  torches  !  "  I  replied, 
"  Whose  splendor  makes  this  pole  here  all  ablaze." 
And  he  to  me  :     "  The  four  clear  stars  that  rose 
This  morn  before  thee,  have  abased  their  rays. 
And  these  have  mounted  in  the  place  of  those." 
While  thus  he  spake,  SordeUo  to  his  side 
Drew  Virgil,  and  exclaimed ;  "  Behold  our  foe  !  " 
And  pointed  to  the  thing  which  he  descried : 
And  where  that  small  vale's  barrier  sinks  most  low, 
A  serpent  suddenly  was  seen  to  glide. 
Such  as  gave  Eve,  perchance,  the  fruit  of  woe. 


CANTO   THE  EIGHTH.  233 

Through  flowers  and  herbage  came  that  evil  streak, 

To  lick  its  back  oft  turning  round  its  head, 

As  with  his  tongue  a  beast  his  fur  doth  sleek. 

I  was  not  looking,  so  must  leave  unsaid 

When  first  they  fluttered,  but  full  well  I  saw 

Both  heavenly  falcons  had  their  plumage  spread. 

Soon  as  the  serpent  felt  the  withering  flaw 

Of  those  green  wings,  it  vanished ;  and  they  sped 

Up  to  their  posts  again,  with  even  flight. 

The  shade  who  had  approached  the  judge  when  he 

Accosted  him,  had  never  moved  his  sight 

Through  this  encounter,  looking  fixed  on  me. 

"  So  may  that  light,"  the  spirit  began  to  say, 

"  Which  leads  thee  up,  find  in  thine  own  free  will 

Suflicient  wax  to  last  thee  all  the  way. 

Even  to  th'  enamelled  summit  of  the  hill ! 

If  thou  true  news  of  Val  di  Magra  know'st. 

Or  of  those  parts,  inform  me  of  the  same ; 

For  I  was  mighty  once  upon  that  coast, 

And  Conrad  Malaspina  was  my  name. 

Not  the  old  lord,  but  his  descendant,  I ; 

The  love  which  once  I  to  my  kindred  bore 

Is  here  refined."     "  Oh,"  thus  I  made  reply, 

"  That  realm  of  yours  I  never  travelled  o'er ; 

But  where  throughout  all  Europe  is  the  place 

That  knows  it  not  ?     The  honor  fame  accords 

Your  house  illustrates  not  alone  the  race, 


234  PURGATORY, 

But  makes  the  land  renowned  as  are  its  lords. 
He  knows  that  country  who  was  never  there  ; 
Still   the   free   purse  they   bear,  and  still  bright 

swords : 
So  mount  my  soul,  as  this  to  thee  I  swear ! 
Custom  and  nature  privilege  them  so. 
That  if  through  guilt  the  world's  guide  lead  astray, 
They  in  the  path  of  right  straightforward  go 
Sole  of  all  men,  and  scorn  the  evil  way !  " 
To  these  my  words,  "  Now  go,"  the  spirit  said, 
"  For  the  sun  shall  not  enter  seven  times  more 
That  part  of  heaven  where  Aries  o'er  his  bed 
Stretches  and  spreads  his  forked  feet  all  four, 
Ere  this  thy  courtesy's  belief  shall  be 
Nailed  in  the  middle  of  thy  head  with  nails 
Of  greater  force  than  men's  reports  to  thee, 
If,  unimpeded,  Judgment's  course  prevails." 


CANTO   THE   NINTH. 

Forth  from  the  arms  of  her  beloved  now. 
Whitening  the  orient  steep,  the  concubine 
Of  old  Tithonus  came,  her  lucent  brow 
Adorned  with  gems  whose  figure  formed  the  sign 
Of  that  cold  animal  whose  tail  with  dread 
Strikes  trembling  nations  ;  and  the  night,  where  we 
Now  were,  had  made  of  her  ascending  tread 


CANTO    THE  NINTH.  235 

Two  of  her  paces  and  was  making  three, 
With  wings  through  weariness  less  fully  spread, 
When  I,  in  whom  the  weakness  was  alive 
Of  Adam's  nature,  sank  in  slumber's  power, 
Where  sat  already  on  the  grass  all  five. 

Near  to  the  dawning,  and  about  the  hoiu* 
When  first  the  little  swallow  wakes  her  lays, 
Mayhap  remembering  her  old  woes  afresh  ; 
And  when  our  mind,  relieved  of  thinking,  strays 
More  of  a  pilgrim  from  its  cage  of  flesh. 
Till  to  its  vision  't  is  almost  divine ; 
Dreaming,  I  seemed  to  see  in  heaven  suspended 
An  eagle  that  with  golden  plumes  did  shine 
And  with  spread  wings,  as  he  to  swoop  intended : 
And  in  that  place  it  seemed  to  be,  methought. 
Where  Ganymede,  abandoning  his  own. 
Was  up  to  heaven's  high  consistory  caught. 
Then  I  considered  :  haply  here  alone 
His  wont  to  strike  is,  and  he  scorns  elsewhere 
To  bear  up  what  he  snatches  in  his  feet. 
Methought  he  next  wheeled  somewhat  in  the  air. 
Then  struck  like  lightning,  terrible  and  fleet. 
And  rapt  me  up  to  the  empyrean  :  there 
We  burned  together  in  so  fierce  a  heat. 
And  such  of  that  imagined  fire  the  smart. 
My  dream  perforce  was  by  the  scorching  broke. 
Not  otherwise  Achilles  with  a  start 


236  PURGATORY. 

Rolled  his  amazed  eyes  round  him,  newly-woke, 
And  knowing  nothing  where  he  was,  when  flying 
His  mother  bore  him  slumbering  on  her  breast, 
From  Chiron  to  the  isle  of  Scyros  hieing, 
Whence  the   Greeks,  after,  forced   him  with   the 

rest. 
Than  I  too  started !  so  that  all  repose 
Fled  from  my  features  ;  deadly  pale  and  chill 
I  grew,  like  one  whom  fear  hath  well-nigh  froze. 
Sole  stood  my  Comforter  beside  me  still ; 
My  face  was  towards  the  sea-shore  turned  ;  the  sun 
Was  risen  already  more  than  two  hours  high. 
"  Fear  not,"  my  Lord  said,  "  we  have  well  begun  : 
Shrink  not !  but  every  way  enlarge  thy  strength ; 
Thou  hast  arrived  at  Purgatory  !     See 
Yon  cliff  that  circles  it ;  behold  at  length 
The  entrance,  parted  where  it  seems  to  be. 

"  In  the  white  light  that  comes  before  the  morn 
While  slumbering  in  thee  lay  thy  soul,  there  came 
Over  the  flowers  this  valley  that  adorn, 
A  woman,  saying :  '  Lucia  is  my  name  ; 
This  man  here  sleeping  let  me  take  in  care, 
So  shall  I  speed  him  forward  on  his  way.' 
Sordello,  with  his  gentle  comrades  there, 
Remained  :  she  took  thee,  and  at  dawn  of  day 
Up  hither  sped,  and  I  behind  her  straight. 
Here  she  reposed  thee ;  first  with  her  fair  eyes 


CANTO    THE  NINTH.  237 

Showing  the  aperture  of  yonder  gate, 

Then  vanished,  and  thy  sleep  in  even  wise." 

As  a  man,  doubting,  comforteth  his  fear 

At  truth's  discovery,  confident  once  more. 

So  did  I  change  ;  and  seeing  me  appear 

Without  inquietude,  my  Guide  up  o'er 

The  cliff  moved  on,  I  following  in  his  rear. 

Reader,  thou  well  observ'st  to  what  a  height 

I  lift  my  matter,  therefore  wonder  not 

If  with  more  art  I  strengthen  what  I  write ! 

We  still  approached,  and  now  had  reached  the  spot 

Where  that  which  first  had  seemed  to  me  a  rent 

Like  to  a  fissure  in  a  wall,  my  view 

Made  out  a  gate,  and  leading  to  it  went 

Three  steps,  and  each  was  of  a  different  hue  : 

A  guardian  sat  there  keeping  the  ascent. 

As  yet  he  spake  not,  and  as  more  and  more 

Mine  eyes  I  opened,  on  the  topmost  stair 

I  saw  him  sitting,  and  the  look  he  wore 

Was  of  such  brightness  that  I  could  not  bear. 

The  rays  were  so  reflected  from  his  face 

By  a  drawn  sword  that  glistened  in  his  hand, 

That  oft  I  turned  to  look  in  empty  sjDace. 

Then  he  began  :  "  Speak  ye  from  where  ye  stand ! 
What  seek  ye  here  ?  who  leads  you  to  this  place  ? 
Take  heed  lest  climbing  upward  from  the  strand 
You  come  to  harm  !  "     My  Master  answered  thus  : 


238  PURGATORY. 

"  A  heavenly  lady  of  such  things  aware, 

Spake  in  these  words  not  long  ago  to  us : 

'  Go  ye  up  yonder,  for  the  gate  is  there.'  " 

"  And  may  she  speed  you  on  your  way  to  good ! " 

Rejoined  that  gracious  guard.     "  Up  to  our  flight 

Advance   you   then ! "     We   therefore   came   and 

stood 
At  the  first  stair,  which  was  of  marble  white, 
So  clear  and  burnished,  that  therein  I  could 
Behold  myself,  how  I  appear  to  sight. 
The  second  was  a  rough  stone,  burnt  and  black 
Beyond  the  darkest  purple  ;  through  its  length 
And  crosswise,  it  was  traversed  by  a  crack. 
The  third,  whose  mass  is  rested  on  their  strength. 
Appeared  to  me  of  porphyry,  flaming  red. 
Or  like  blood  spouting  from  a  vein  ;  thereon 
God's  angel  kept  with  planted  feet  his  tread, 
Sitting  upon  the  threshold's  gleaming  stone, 
Which  seemed  to  me  of  adamant.     My  Guide 
Led  me,  with  my  good  will,  up  that  ascent, 
Saying :  "  Beg  humbly  that  the  bolt  may  slide  !  " 
And  at  those  hallowed  feet  devout  I  bent : 
"  In  mercy  open  to  me  !  "  I  implored, 
But  first  I  smote  me  thrice  upon  my  breast. 
He  on  my  forehead  with  his  pointed  sword 
Traced  P  seven  times,  then  spake  me  this  behest : 
"  Wash  thou  these  wounds  when  thou  hast  passed 

the  door." 


CANTO    THE  NINTH.  239 

Ashes  or  dry  heaps  dug  from  gravelly  earth 
Were  of  one  color  with  the  robe  he  wore, 
From  under  which  two  keys  he  next  drew  forth. 
One  was  of  gold,  one  silver  ;  first  he  plied 
The  white,  then  used  the  yellow  on  the  gate, 
In  such  sort  as  my  spirit  satisfied ; 
Then  said  :  "  To  none  is  passable  the  strait 
When  either  of  these  keys  be  vainly  tried. 
And  in  the  wards  without  response  it  grate. 
One  is  more  precious,  one  more  asketh  wise 
Counsel  and  intellect  the  lock  to  free. 
Because  't  is  this  which  error's  knot  unties. 
From  Peter's  hand  I  hold  them.     He  on  me 
Enjoined  this  rule,  that  I  should  rather  err 
In  opening  unto  penitents,  than  be 
Slow  to  unbind,  if  at  my  feet  they  were." 

Then  of  that  pass  he  pushed  the  sacred  gate, 
Saying :  "  Go  in  ;  but  be  ye  warned,  before 
You  enter  !   who  looks  back  returneth  strais'ht." 
And  when  the  hinge-bolts  of  the  holy  door. 
Which  are  of  strong  and  sounding  metal,  rolled 
Hound  in  their  sockets,  the  Tarpeian  rock. 
When  robbed  of  good  Metellus  and  its  gold. 
Rung  not  so  loud,  nor  yielded  such  a  shock. 
At  the  first  thunder,  as  the  portal  swung, 
I  looked  about,  and  as  I  stood  intent 
Heard  Te  Deum  laudamiis!  clearly  sung; 


240  PURGATORY. 

And  the  gate's  music  with  the  song  was  blent. 
The  same  impression  what  I  heard  gave  me 
As  on  the  listener's  hearing  is  begot 
When  men  with  organs  join  their  voice,  and  we 
Now  hear  the  words,  and  now  we  hear  them  not. 


CANTO  THE   TENTH. 

When  we  had  crossed  the  threshold  of  the  gate 
Which  from  the  bad  love  sets  the  spirits  free 
(Bad,  for  it  makes  the  crooked  way  seem  straight), 
I  heard  it  closed :  had  I  turned  round  to  see, 
What  fit  excuse  had  been  for  fault  so  great  ? 
We  climbed  up  through  the  cloven  rock  whose  face 
Went  in  and  out  like  waves  that  come  and  go. 
"  Here  must  a  little  art  direct  our  pace," 
My  Guide  began,  "  in  winding  onward  so 
As  where  the  crag  recedeth  to  find  place." 
This  made  our  footsteps  few  and  passage  slow  ; 
And  ere  that  needle's  eye  we  had  passed  through. 
The  waning  moon  had  sunk  again  to  rest ; 
But  when  free  forth  we  had  an  open  view 
Up  where  no  fissure  mars  the  mountain's  breast 
(I  wearied  out,  both  doubtful  of  our  path). 
We  stopped  upon  the  level  of  a  ledge 
Lonelier  than  roads  through  deserts.     This  plain 
hath 


CANTO    THE    TENTH.  241 

From  the  steep  hillside  to  its  outer  edge, 

That  borders  on  void  space,  a  breadth  as  wide 

As  thrice  the  measure  of  a  human  frame : 

Right  hand  and  left,  far  as  mine  eye  descried, 

This  cornice  in  its  breadth  appeared  the  same. 

Thereon  our  feet  along  the  mountain-side 

Had  not  advanced  a  step  before  I  found 

Ascent  impossible  :  it  was  a  shelf 

Walled  with  white  marble  and  so  sculptured  round 

That  Polycrete,  yea,  nature's  very  self. 

Had  there  been  shamed.     There,  lighted  on  the 

ground,  ♦ 

The  angel  stood  who  brought  down  the  decree 
Of  that  dear  peace  which  men  had  wept  for  long. 
And  heaven  from  its  old  interdict  set  free. 
So  truly  cut  that  it  had  seemed  a  wrong 
To  think  that  sweet  look  but  a  silent  stone  : 
One  would  have  sworn  that  it  said  "  Ave  !  "     She 
Was  also  imaged  there,  the  blessed  one 
Who  to  the  Love  Divine  did  turn  the  key. 
And  in  her  act  distinctly  was  revealed 
This  word :  "  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord  I " 
Plain  as  a  figure  that  in  wax  is  sealed. 
"Let  not  thy  mind  one  only  place  record," 
Said  my  sweet  Master,  who  upon  that  side 
Where  men  their  heart  have,  still  was  keeping  me. 
Therefore  I  turned  my  visage  and  espied 
Behind  the  Mary,  and  beyond  where  he 


242  PURGATORY. 

Was  standing  at  whose  word  I  turned  mine  eye, 

Another  story  carved  upon  the  stone  ; 

So  I  came  near  it,  passing  Virgil  by, 

To  where  the  figure  might  be  plainly  shown. 

In  the  same  marble  there  was  graved  the  car 

And  oxen  carrying  the  sacred  ark, 

Whence  men  should  of  officiousness  beware ! 

In  front  the  people  all,  as  I  could  mark. 

Ranged  in  seven  choirs.     While  one  sense  told  me 

No, 
The  other  said :   Yes,  I  perceive  they  sing. 
And  in  like' manner  at  the  imaged  flow 
Of  curling  incense  did  a  discord  spring. 
Betwixt  my  sight  and  smell,  of  yes  and  no. 
Before  that  blessed  vessel  there  was  seen 
The  Psalmist  dancing,  humbled  of  his  state. 
And,  more  than  king,  seemed  less  than  king    in 

mien. 
Over  against  him,  gazing  from  the  gi*ate 
Of  a  proud  palace,  like  a  woman  vext 
Looking  disdainful,  Michal's  figure  shone. 
I  moved  my  place  to  mark  what  story  next 
Gleamed  behind  Michal  whitely  from  the  stone. 
Here  graven  the  lofty  glory  I  admired 
Of  that  high  Roman  prince  whose  virtues  meek 
To  his  great  victory  Gregory  inspired : 
Trajan  the  emperor,  of  him  I  speak  ; 
And  a  poor  widow  full  of  grief,  all  tears, 


CANTO    THE   TENTH,  243 

Trembled  beside  Mm  at  his  bridle's  head. 
The  place    looked  trampled,  thronged  with  cava- 
liers ; 
The  golden  eagles  over  him  outspread 
Moved  in  the  wind ;  and  she  amid  the  train, 
That  wretched  woman,  looked  as  though  she  said : 
'  My  lord  I  revenge  my  grief,,  my  sweet  son  slain  !  " 
He  seemed  as  answering :  "J/y  return  abide.^^ 
*'  My  lord^^  like  one  whose  wrong  brooks  no  delay, 
'•'-  If  thou  return  not  f  "  seemed  as  she  replied. 
And  he  :  "  The  one  succeeding  to  my  throne 
Will  do  thee  right'"'     "  What  profit  unto  thee 
His  doing  well,,  if  thou  forget  thine  own  f  " 
Whereto  in  this  form  seemed  as  answering  he  : 
"  Now  comfort  thee  I  this  duty  I  will  end 
Ere  I  go  hence.     Pity  doth  plead  with  me 
To  stay^  and  Justice  wills  that  I  attend.'''' 
He  unto  whom  naught  can  be  new  or  strange 
Made  visible  this  language  I  have  penned. 
Novel  to  us,  because  beyond  our  range. 
While  on  these  figures  with  delight  I  pored. 
Which  of  such  lowliness  the  story  told, 
And  for  their  Sculptor's  sake  the  more  adored. 
The  Poet  murmured  in  mine  ear :  "  Behold  ! 
This  way  a   crowd   seems  creeping:    they  might 

guide 
Our  footsteps  to  the  cornices  above." 
Mine  eyes,  that  had  been  wholly  satisfied 


244  PURGATORY. 

With   those   new   things   to  look   on  which  they 

love, 
At  these  words  were  not  slow  to  turn  aside. 

Header,  I  would  not  have  thee  shrink  dismayed 
From  thy  good  purpose,  hearing  of  the  doom 
By  which  God  wills  our  penance  must  be  paid. 
Heed  not  its  form :  think  on  what  is  to  come  ! 
At  worst,  consider,  it  could  not  endure 
Beyond  the  Judgment.     "  Master,"  I  began, 
"  My  sight  so  fails  me  that  I  am  not  sure 
What  shapes  are  coming ;  they  seem  unlike  man." 
"  Their  torment's   heaviness   so   doth  crush  them 

down," 
He  answered  me,  "  that  even  to  my  sight 
Their  shape  at  first  was  indistinctly  shown. 
But  fix  thy  gaze,  to  disentangle  quite 
What  creatures  come,  under  those  loads  of  stone. 
Now  mayst  thou  mark  the  pangs  of  every  wight." 
O  ye  proud  Christians,  weary,  woebegone ! 
Who  with  a  mental  vision  most  infirm 
Go  confident  with  steps  that  go  not  on ! 
Perceive  ye  not  that  man  is  but  a  worm, 
Born  to  produce  the  angelic  butterfly 
That  with  no  screening  shall  to  Justice  fleet  ? 
For  what  should  hiunan  spirit  mount  so  high  ? 
Ye  are  as  winged  creatures,  incomplete. 
Even  as  the  worm  is,  not  formed  perfectly. 


CANTO    THE   ELEVENTH.  245 

As  in  the  bracket's  place  one  often  sees 
Figures  by  which  the  ceiling  is  sustained, 
Crouching,  with  bosom  doubled  to  the  knees. 
Whence  unfeigned  pity  for  a  posture  feigned 
Moves  the  beholder's  mind ;  so  bending,  these 
Figures  appeared  as  I  perused  them  o'er. 
They  came,  in  truth,  contracted  more  and  less 
According  to  the  burden  each  one  bore  : 
And  he  whose  face  most  patience  did  express 
Seemed  to  say,  weeping :  "  /  can  hear  no  more  1 " 


CANTO   THE  ELEVENTH. 

"  O  THOU,  our  Father,  dwelling  there  in  heaven ! 
Not  circumscribed,  save  by  the  larger  love 
Which  to  thy  love's  first  offspring  must  be  given, 
Wlio  from  the  first  have  dwelt  with  thee  above ! 
By  every  creature  hallowed  be  thy  name 
And  praised  thy  goodness,  as  for  man  was  meant 
To  render  thanks  to  thy  benignant  flame : 
May  to  our  souls  thy  kingdom's  peace  be  lent. 
For  of  ourselves  we  could  not  come  thereto 
With  all  our  intellect,  unless  't  were  sent : 
And  even  as  of  their  will  thine  angels  do 
Chanting  Hosanna  sacrifice  to  thee. 
So  to  thy  will  may  men  their  own  subdue : 
Our  daily  manna  give  to  us  this  day, 


246  PURGATORY. 

Without  which  help,  through  this  rough  wilderness, 

Who  strives  to  go  falls  backward  on  his  way. 

And  even  as  we  forbear  us  to  redress 

The  wrong  from  others  which  we  have  to  brook, 

Pardon  thou  us,  benignant  One !  and  less 

On  our  deserving  than  our  weakness  look : 

Try  not  our  virtue,  ever  prone  to  yield, 

'Gainst  the  old  enemy  who  spurs  it  so ; 

Deliver  us  from  him  and  be  our  shield : 

This  last  petition,  dearest  Lord !  we  know 

We  have  no  need  of ;  but  for  them  we  plead 

Who  after  us  amid  temptation  go." 

Thus  praying  for  themselves  and  us  God-speed, 
Those  weary  shadows,  underneath  a  load 
Like  that  we  sometimes  dream  that  we  endure, 
Toiled  in  unequal  anguish  o'er  the  road 
Round  the  first  cornice,  all  becoming  pure 
From  the  world's  tarnish.     Oh,  if  alway  there 
For  us  they  say  such  gracious  words,  for  them 
What  might  be  here  performed  in  act  or  prayer 
By  souls  whose  will  is  a  sound-rooted  stem ! 
Well  might  we  help  them  wash  whatever  stain 
They  bore  hence,  that  at  last,  sublimed  and  fair, 
They  to  the  starry  circles  might  attain. 

"  Ah,  so  may  pity  soon,  and  justice,  spare 

You  souls  this  load,  that  you  may  move  the  wing 


CANTO   THE  ELEVENTH.  247 

That  lifts  you  upward  to  celestial  air ! 

Show  us  which  way  most  speedily  may  bring 

Us  towards  the  ascent.     If  more  than  one  there  be, 

Point  us  that  pass  the  least  precipitous ; 

Since  he  who  comes  and  fain  would  climb  with  me 

Through  flesh  of  Adam  is  encumbered  thus." 

Who  made  their  answer  to  these  words  wliich  he 

Whom  I  was  following  unto  them  add  rest 

Was  not  discernible,  but  this  was  said : 

"  To  the  right  hand,  along  the  bank,  't  is  best 

You  come  with  us.     This  way,  to  living  tread, 

The  pass  is  possible  that  you  request : 

And  were  I  not  impeded  by  the  stone 

Which  my  proud  neck  so  masters  with  its  weight, 

That  I  perforce  must  hold  my  visage  down, 

This  man  who  liveth,  and  who  doth  not  state 

What  name  he  bears,  I  would  look  up  to  see 

If  I  do  know,  and  make  compassionate 

His  heart,  for  this  huge  load  that  bendeth  me. 

William  Aldobrandeschi  was  the  name 

Of  a  great  Tuscan  ;  I  was  born  his  son. 

Of  Latin  race :  whether  his  title  came 

To  your  ears  ever,  knowledge  have  I  none. 

Mine  ancestors,  their  ancient  blood  and  what 

They  wrought  by  prowess,  rendered  me  so  high 

In  arrogance,  that  never  taking  thought 

About  our  common  mother,  all  men  I 

So  scorned,  that  as  the  Siennese  all  know, 


248  PURGATORY. 

I  to  my  death  was  verily  brought  thereby ; 
And  every  child  in  Campagnatico 
Knows  how  I  there  did  perish  for  my  sin. 
I  am  Omberto,  and  not  me  alone 
Hath  pride  done  damage  to,  but  all  my  kin. 
Them  it  dragged  hither  with  myself  to  groan. 
And  I  who,  living,  never  bowed  my  head, 
Till  God  be  satisfied,  and  mercy  shown. 
Must  bear  this  burden  here  among  the  dead." 

Listening,  I  held  my  visage  down  intent ; 

And  one  of  them,  but  not  the  same  that  spoke, 

Writhing,  looked  up,  beneath  his  burden  bent, 

And  recognized,  and  called  me  ;  still  his  look 

^Vith  strained  eyes  fixing  upon  me  who  went 

All  bowed  beside  them.     "  Oh,''  exclaimed  I  then, 

"  Art  thou  not  Oderisi,  Gubbio's  pride. 

And  honor  also  of  that  art  which  men 

In  Paris  name  illuming  ?  "     He  replied  : 

"  Brother !   tho.se  leaves  with   hues   more   smiling 

shine 
Touched  by  the  pencil  of  the  Bolognese, 
Franco,  whose  whole  fame  was  but  partly  mine. 
Haply  in  life  such  courteous  words  as  these 
I  had  not  spoken,  so  my  heart  was  set 
All  others  to  excel.     For  such  poor  pride 
Here  I  must  pay  the  penalty  ;  nor  yet 
Should  I  be  here,  but  that  before  I  died 


CANTO   THE  ELEVENTH.  249 

I  turned  to  God,  still  having  power  to  sin. 

O  thou  vain-glory  of  man's  boasted  powers  ! 

How  little  while  thy  summit  keeps  its  green, 

Unless  gross  ages  come  that  yield  no  flowers  ! 

Once  Cimabue  thought  to  keep  the  crown 

In  painting's  field ;  now  all  cry  Giotto  best. 

So  that  the  former  hath  but  dim  renown  : 

Thus  could  one  Guido  from  the  other  wrest 

The  glory  of  language,  and  perchance  is  born 

He  that  shall  drive  out  either  from  his  nest. 

Naught  is  the  world's  voice  but  a  bi'eath  of  morn 

Coming  this  way  and  that,  and  changing  name 

Even  as  it  shifteth  side :  what  more  shalt  thou, 

If  old  thou  cast  thy  flesh,  enjoy  of  fame. 

Than  if  death's  hand  had  touched  thy  baby  brow 

Whilst  thou  wert  babbling,  ere  a  thousand  years 

Have  past?  which  unto  God's  eternity 

A  space  more  insignificant  appears 

Than  would  the  twinkle  of  an  eyelid  be 

To  the  least  rapid  of  the  heavenly  spheres. 

Yon  soul  before  me  moving  on  so  slow. 

Once  through  all  Tuscany  was  noised  for  great ; 

Now  scarce  Sienna  breathes  his  name,  although 

He  was  her  sovereign,  when  the  infuriate 

Spirit  of  Florence  met  such  overthrow  ; 

For  she,  now  vile,  swelled  them  in  proud  estate. 

Men's  reputation  is  the  fleeting  hue 

Of  grass,  that  comes  and  goes  !  even  that  whereby 


250  PURGATORY. 

Fresh  from  the  soil  its  tender  verdure  grew, 
The  sun,  discolors  it  and  leaveth  dry." 

And  I :  "  Thy  truthful  words  teach  me  to  seek 
Goodness  in  humbleness,  and  quell  my  pride. 
But  who  is  he  of  whom  thou  just  didst  speak  ?  " 
"  That 's  Provenzan  Salvani,"  he  replied  ; 
"  And  he  goes  here  because  he  so  presumed 
In  bringing  all  Sienna  'neath  his  sway : 
Thus  ever  since  he  died  hath  he  been  doomed, 
Without  repose,  to  walk  his  weary  way. 
Who  dares  too  much  there,  in  such  coin  pays  back." 
I  then :  "  If  every  soul  who  doth  delay 
Repentance  till  the  limit  of  life's  track. 
Must  wait  below,  nor  be  up  here  received 
Unless  good  prayers  assist  him  on  his  road, 
Before  as  much  time  pass  as  he  hath  lived, 
How  comes  this  largess  upon  him  bestowed  ?  " 

The  spirit  replied :  "  When  he  was  living  still 

In  the  full  glory  of  his  most  high  state, 

All  shame  subduing,  of  his  own  free  will 

Amid  Sienna's  public  square  he  sate, 

And  there,  his  friend  to  ransom  from  the  pain 

Which  Charles  had  doomed  him,  of  his  dungeon's 

grate, 
Did  that  which  made  him  tremble  in  each  vein. 
I  say  no  more,  and  know  I  darkly  teach : 


CANTO   THE   TWELFTH.  251 

But  in  short  wliile  thy  neighbors  unto  thee 

Will  so  conduct,  that  thou  mayst  gloss  my  speech. 

Him  from  those  confines  did  this  act  set  free." 


CANTO  THE   TWELFTH. 

Paired,  like  two  oxen  treading  under  yoke, 
That  burdened  soul  and  I  as  far  had  gone 
As  the  loved  Tutor  let.     But  when  he  spoke 
These  words :  "  Now  leave  him  !     We  must  travel 

on, 
For  here  't  is  good  with  spread  of  sail  and  stroke 
Of  oar,  to  push  his  boat  as  each  best  may,  " 
I  made  myself,  as  walking  needs,  erect. 
But  only  in  body ;  just  it  is  to  say 
My  thoughts  were  bowed,  my  spirit  was  deject. 
Still,  I  was  moving,  and  with  willing  feet 
Followed  my  Master  ;  both  began  to  show 
How  light  we  were,  when  thus  he  said  :  "  'T  is  meet 
That,  walking  here,  thou  bend  thine  eyes  below, 
So  to  observe,  and  make  the  moments  fleet, 
Over  what  kind  of  bed  thy  footsteps  go." 

Even  as,  that  so  their  memory  may  survive, 
Our  earthly  tombs,  above  the  buried,  bear 
The  graven  form  of  what  they  were  alive ; 
(Whence  oft  one  weeps  afresh  the  image  there, 


252  PURGATORY. 

Pricked  by  remembrance,  which  doth  only  give 

To  souls  compassionate  a  sting  of  pain), 

So  I  saw  figured  o'er,  but  with  more  skill 

In  the  resemblance,  all  the  narrow  plain 

Which  formed  our  pathway,  jutting  from  the  hill. 

Him  there  I  marked,  on  one  side,  noblest  made 

Of  all  God's  creatures,  stricken  down  from  heaven 

Like  lightning !     Opposite,  there  was  displayed 

Briareus,  cast  from  where  he  late  had  striven, 

Smit  by  celestial  thunderbolts,  and  laid 

Heavy  on  earth,  and  in  the  frost  of  death. 

I  saw  Thymbraeus,  Pallas  too,  and  Mars, 

Still  armed,  around  their  sire,  with  bated  breath 

Viewing  the  giants,  their  torn  limbs  and  scars  ! 

Nimrod  I  saw,  at  foot  of  his  great  tower, 

As  if  bewildered,  gazing  on  the  tribes 

That  showed  with  him  such  haughtiness  of  power 

In  Shinar's  plain,  as  Genesis  describes. 

0  Niobe  !   with  what  eyes,  full  of  woe, 

'Mid  thy  slain  children,  upon  each  hand  seven, 

1  saw  thee  carved  upon  the  road !     And  O 
Saul  in  Gilboa!  that  no  more  from  heaven 
Felt  rain  or  dew,  how  dead  on  thine  own  sword 
Didst  thou  appear !     Thee,  mad  Arachne,  there 
I  saw,  haK-spider,  fumbling  the  deplored 

Shreds  of  that  work  which  wrought  for  thee  de- 
spair. 


CANTO   THE   TWELFTH.  253 

Ah,  Relioboam  !  there  no  more  in  threat 
Stands  thy  fierce  figure ;  smit  witli  fear  he  flies, 
Whirled  in  a  chariot,  none  pursuing  yet. 
Showed  also  that  hard  pavement  to  mine  eyes 
How  young  Alcmaeon  made  his  mother  sell 
With  life  the  luckless  ornament  she  wore. 
How,  in  the  temple,  on  Sennacherib  fell 
The  sons,  and  left  his  corpse  there  on  the  floor. 
The  cruel  carnage  and  the  wreck  it  showed 
Which  Tomyris  made,  when  she  to  Cyrus  cried : 
"  Blood  thou   didst  thirst  for !    now  I  give  thee 

blood  ;  " 
And  showed  th'  Assyrians  flying  far  and  wide 
In  utter  rout,  with  Holofernes  dead. 
And  all  the  slaughter  that  befell  beside, 
And  the  grim  carcase  by  the  bloody  bed. 
Troy  next  I  saw,  an  ashy  caverned  waste  : 
O  Ilion  !  how  vile  the  work  showed  thee 
Which  there  is  graven,  how  utterly  abased ! 
What  master  of  pencil  or  of  stile  was  he 
Who  so  those  traits  and  figures  could  have  traced 
That  subtlest  wit  had  been  amazed  thereby  ? 
Alive  the  living  seemed,  and  dead  the  dead ! 
Who  saw  the  truth  no  better  saw  than  I, 
While  bowed  I  went,  all  underneath  my  tread. 
Now  swell  with  pride,  and  on  with  lofty  stalk. 
Children  of  Eve !  nor  bend  your  visage  aught 
So  to  behold  the  sinful  way  ye  walk. 


254  PURGATORY. 

More  of  tlie  mountain  than  my  busied  thought 
Had  been  aware  of,  we  had  rounded  now, 
And  much  more  of  his  course  the  sim  had  spent ; 
When  he,  who  still  went  first  with  watchful  brow. 
Exclaimed :    "  Look   up !    to   accomplish   our   as- 
cent 
Time  no  more  suffers  to  proceed  so  slow. 
See  yonder  angel  hastening  on  his  way 
To  come  towards  us  ;  and  from  her  service,  lo  ! 
The  sixth-returning  handmaid  of  the  day. 
Give  to  thy  mien  the  grace  of  reverence,  then, 
That  he  may  joy  to  marshal  us  above. 
Think  thus :  this  day  will  never  dawn  again." 
I  had  so  often  felt  his  words  reprove 
My  slowness,  warning  me  to  lose  no  time. 
That  on  this  point  I  read  his  dark  words  right. 
With  sparkling  face,  as  glows  at  rosy  prime 
The  tremulous  morning  star,  and  robed  in  white. 
That  being  of  beauty  moved  towards  us,  and  said, 
Opening  his  arms  and  then  his  pinions  wide : 
"  Come,  here  the  steps  are  !  easy  to  the  tread 
And  close  at  hand :  now  upward  ye  may  glide." 
But  very  few  obey  this  angel's  call. 
O  human  race  !  born  high  on  wings  to  soar. 
Why  at  a  little  breath  do  ye  so  fall  ? 
He  brought  us  where  the  rock  a  pass  revealed 
Hewn  out,  his  pinions  on  my  forehead  beat, 
And  with  his  promise  my  safe-going  sealed. 


CANTO   THE   TWELFTH.  •  "255 

As,  to  the  right,  in  climbing  to  the  seat 
Of  the  fair  chm-ch  that  looketh  lordly  down 
Over  the  bridge  that  bears  the  name  this  day 
Of  Rubaconte,  on  the  well-ruled  town, 
The  sharp  ascent  is  broken  by  a  way 
Of  stairs  constructed  in  the  old  time,  ere 
Fraud  was  in  measure  and  in  ledger  found  ; 
Thus  the  steep  bank  is  graduated  there. 
Which  falls  abruptly  from  the  other  round : 
On  either  side  the  tall  rock  grazes,  though. 
As  we  turned  thitherward,  were  voices  heard, 
Beati  pauperes  sjnritu  !  singing  so 
As  might  not  be  exprest  by  any  word. 
Ah,  these  approaches,  how  unlike  to  Hell's ! 
With  chant  of  anthems  one  makes  entrance  here  ; 
Down  there,  with  agony's  ferocious  yells. 

Now,  as  we  climb,  the  sacred  stairs  appear 

More  easy  than  the  plain  had  seemed  before : 

Wherefore  I  thus  began :  ''  O  Master  !  say, 

What  heavy  load  is  tak'n  from  me  ?     No  more 

I  feel  that  weariness  upon  my  way." 

"  When  every  P  upon  thy  temples  traced. 

Almost  obliterate  now,"  he  answered  me, 

"  Shall  be,  like  this  one,  totally  erased. 

So  by  right  will  shall  thy  feet  vanquished  be 

That  they  not  only  no  fatigue  shall  know. 

But  even  with  pleasure  shall  be  forward  sped." 


256  •  PURGATORY. 

Then  did  I  like  as  men  do  wlien  they  go 
Unweeting  what  they  carry  on  their  head, 
Till  signs  from  some  one  their  suspicion  waking, 
The  assistant  hand  its  own  assurance  tries, 
And  seeks  and  findeth,  such  discovery  making 
As  may  not  be  afforded  by  the  eyes ; 
Spreading  my  right-hand  fingers,  I  could  find 
Six  letters  only  of  the  seven  which  he 
Who  bore  the  keys  had  on  my  forehead  signed  : 
Observing  which,  my  Master  smiled  on  me. 


CANTO  THE   THIRTEENTH. 

We  at  the  summit  of  the  ladder  stood, 
Where  now  a  second  cut  the  mountain  breaks ; 
That  mount  wliich  turneth  evil  unto  good. 
Here  a  like  cornice  round  the  hillside  takes 
Its  winding  passage  like  the  former  one  ; 
Save  that  its  arc  a  quicker  curving  makes. 
No  shade  is  seen  there,  sculpture  there  is  none : 
As  the  smooth  bank,  so  does  the  path  appear 
Of  the  same  livid  color  as  the  stone. 

"  If  to  inquire  we  wait  for  people  here," 
The  Poet  reasoned,  "  our  election  might 
Have  more  delay  than  we  desire,  I  fear." 
Then  steadfast  on  the  sun  he  fixed  his  sight. 


CANTO   THE   THIRTEENTH.  257 

Making  one  side  the  centre  of  his  move, 

And  turning  round  his  left  side  towards  the  right, 

And  saying  :  "  O  sweet  light  that  shin'st  above 

The  world,  to  warm  it,  in  whom  I  confide, 

Entering  on  this  new  way,  our  leader  be ! 

Even  such  as  one  up  here  would  have  his  guide : 

If  no  distraction  turn  our  eyes  from  thee. 

Thy  rays  through  life  must  ever  lead  us  on." 

Now  as  on  earth  is  reckoned  for  a  mile. 

We  for  about  such  distance  here  had  gone, 

In  what  our  prompt  will  made  a  little  while ; 

And  towards  us  flying,  although  not  in  sight, 

Spirits  were  heard  who  did  in  gentle  style 

Unto  the  table  of  love's  feast  invite. 

And  the  first  voice  that  passed  us,  as  it  flew. 

In  a  loud  tone  exclaimed  :  "  They  have  no  wine  ;  " 

And  still  repeating  that,  behind  us  drew. 

And  ere  that  voice  in  distance  died,  the  sign 

Was  of  another  passing  s^iirit  heard. 

Crying:  '•'' I  am  Orestes  !  ^^  then  it  sped 

Even  as  the  other,  passing  with  this  word. 

"  O  Father !    speak,  what  sounds   are   these  ? "    1 

said : 
And,  straightway  with  my  question,  hark !  a  third, 
Saying  :    "  Love  those   men  who  have  done  you 

wrong r 
And  the  good  Master  said :  "  Here  env^^'s  sin 


258  PURGATORY. 

Is  scourged,  and  so  the  lashes  of  the  thong 
Are  drawn  from  love,  their  penance  to  begin. 
The  bridle  of  a  counter-strain  will  be  ; 
That  also  thou  wilt  hear,  I  judge,  ere  long, 
Before  thou  reach  the  pass  of  pardon.     See  ! 
Through  the  air  yonder,  fix  thy  gaze,  and  keep : 
Thou  wilt  discern  some  sitting  side  by  side, 
Each  by  himself,  along  the  craggy  steep.'* 
Then  straining  more  my  vision,  I  descried 
Shadows  with  mantles  of  like  dolorous  hue 
As  the  stone  was.     And  as  we  nearer  came, 
I  heard  them  calling :  "  Mary,  pray  for  us ! 
Michael  and  Peter,"  every  saint  by  name. 
I  doubt  if  walketh  among  living  men 
A  man  so  hard  that  had  not  felt  his  heart 
With  pity  pierced  at  what  I  witnessed  then ! 
For  when  more  nearly  I  approached  that  part 
Where  of  their  action  perfect  view  was  had. 
Mine  eyes  wept  so  that  no  more  tears  remained. 

They  seemed  to  me  in  haircloth  vilely  clad ; 
Each  with  his  shoulder  the  next  form  sustained, 
And  all  behind  were  propped  against  the  bank. 
So  the  poor  blind,  in  want  of  everything. 
Stand  at  the  pardon-crosses  in  a  rank. 
Asking  an  alms  ;  and  one  his  head  doth  bring 
Down  o'er  his  fellow's  head  beside  his  cheek, 
That  pity  sooner  in  the  breast  may  spring 


CANTO   THE   THIRTEENTH.  259 

Of  passers,  not  more  from  the  words  they  speak 

Than  from  their  look,  alike  soliciting. 

And  as  no  smibeam  comes  to  their  dead  sight, 

So  to  the  shades  of  whom  I  speak,  the  sun 

In  heaven  yields  largess  never  of  its  light ; 

For  a  steel  wire  the  lids  of  every  one 

Runs  through,  their  visual  organ  stitching  tight : 

A  falcon's  eyelids  in  like  mode  are  seeled. 

Lest  he  prove  haggard.     But  me  thought  it  mean 

While  they  so  plainly  were  to  me  revealed, 

To  walk  among  them  so,  myself  unseen. 

I  turned  to  my  sage  Counsel.     He  full  well 

Knew  what  it  was  the  silent  man  woidd  say, 

And  waited  not  for  me  my  wish  to  tell. 

But  said:  "  Brief  then,  speak  wisely  as  you  may." 

Virgil  on  that  side  of  the  cornice  kept 

Where  one  might  fall,  no  girdle  going  round 

Of  outer  bank,  such  slip  to  intercept : 

Against  the  bank  which  formed  the  inner  bound 

Ranged  the  doomed  shadows,  through  the  horrible 

seam 
Squeezing   forth   tears    until    their    cheeks   were 

drowned. 

"  O  people  certain  to  behold  that  beam," 
Turning  I  said,  "  which  is  your  one  desire, 
So    may   heaven's   grace   resolve   the   scum   with 
speed 


260  PURGATORY, 

Of   your   soiled   conscience,  that  through  natures 

higher 
The  river  of  your  mind,  from  envy  freed. 
May  flow  pellucid  !  tell  me,  for  to  me 
Eight  gracious  it  will  seem,  gracious  and  dear, 
If  among  you  a  soul  there  chance  to  be 
Who  is  Italian  ;  haply  if  I  hear 
It  may  be  weU  for  him."  —  "  O  brother  mine ! 
We  all  are  citizens  "  (one  beyond  where 
We  stood  replied)  "  of  one  true  city :  thou 
Mean'st,  lived  in  Italy,  a  pilgrim  there." 

This  voice  to  hear  a  little  onward  now 

I  moved,  and  marked  one  spirit  by  her  mien 

Expecting  something  :  if  you  ask  me,  how, 

Like  a  blind  person  she  upraised  her  chin. 

''  Spirit  who  conquerest  thyseK  to  climb. 

If  thou  be  that  one  which  replied,"  I  said, 

"  Make  known  to  me  what  in  the  former  time 

Thy   place   or   name   was."       This   response   she 

made : 
"  I  from  Sienna  came,  and  go  with  these 
Purging  my  life  of  sin  and  weeping  so. 
To  Him  who  soon  to  pardon  may  it  please ! 
Sapient  indeed  I  never  was,  although 
Sapia  called  among  the  Siennese  ; 
And  far  more  joyful  at  another's  woe 
Was  I,  than  at  my  own  good  fortune  glad. 


CANTO   THE   THIRTEENTH.  261 

And  lest  thou  deem  that  I  deceive  thee,  know 

From  mme  own  lips  what  a  fool's  mind  I  had, 

Descending  now  the  archway  of  my  life. 

While  mine  own  citizens  near  Colle's  hill 

Were  with  their  adversaries  joined  in  strife, 

I  prayed  my  God  to  do  His  dreadful  will. 

Routed,  they  took  the  bitter  pass  of  flight ; 

In  turn  of  battle  I  beheld  the  chase, 

And  felt  a  rapture  making  all  joy  light, 

So  that  I  lifted  insolent  my  face. 

Crying  to  God :  '  No  more  I  dread  thy  might ! ' 

Like  the  poor  blackbird  for  a  faint  sunshine. 

My  peace  with  God  I  sought  at  life's  extreme ; 

Nor  yet  were  partly  paid  this  debt  of  mine. 

Had  it  not  been  that,  as  I  truly  deem. 

Pier  Pettinaio,  in  his  orisons 

Remembering  me  in  charity,  did  grieve. 

But  who  art  thou  that  our  conditions 

Go'st  questioning,  eyes  open,  I  believe. 

With  utterance  the  carnal  breath  o'erruns  ?  " 

"  Mine  eyes  like  yours  might  here  be   sealed,"  I 

said  ; 
"  Not  long,  however,  for  these  orbs  of  mine 
Not  much  through  envy  erred.     Far  greater  dread 
My  soul  suspendeth  of  their  doom  who  pine 
Under  the  torment  of  the  laden  tread ; 
Even   now   their   penance  weighs   me   more  than 

thine !  " 


262  PURGATORY. 

And  she  to  me :  "  Who  hither  was  thy  guide 
Up  among  us,  if  thou  return  expect  ?  " 
"  The  one  with  me  who  speaks  not,"  I  replied. 
"  And  I  am  living ;  therefore,  spirit  elect, 
Wouldst  have  me  move  my  mortal  pace  for  thee 
In  our  old  world,  prefer  me  thy  request." 
"  Oh  !  this  to  hear  is  wonderful,"  said  she  : 
"  So  strange,  God's  love  for  thee  is  plain  exprest ! 
Then  help  me  by  thy  prayer  ;  and  I  entreat 
By  what  thou  most  desirest,  if  soe'er 
Thou  feel  the  Tuscan  soil  beneath  thy  feet, 
Report  me  rightly  to  my  kindred  there. 
Thou  shalt  see  them  among  that  empty  race 
Who  put  their  trust  in  Talamone's  dream. 
With  greater  loss  of  hope,  and  more  disgrace, 
Than  when  they  hmited  for  Diana's  stream ; 
But  worse  loss  yet  their  admirals  must  face." 


CANTO  THE  FOURTEENTH. 

"  What  man  is  this  who  round  our  mountain  goes, 
Before  that  death  has  let  his  pinions  free. 
Who  doth  at  will  his  eyelids  ope  and  close  ?  " 
"  I  know  not ;  but  am  sure  not  sole  is  he  : 
Demand  thou  of  him  who  the  nearest  art, 
And  gently  ask,  that  he  may  deign  reply." 
Thus  to  the  right  two  spirits  there,  apart, 


CANTO   THE  FOURTEENTH.  263 

Bent  each  toward  each,  conferred  as  I  came  nigh. 

Then  turning  up  their  faces  as  to  speak, 

One  said  :  "  O  soul !  that  still  in  mortal  hold 

Art  on  the  way  thy  home  in  Heaven  to  seek, 

For  charity  console  us,  and  unfold 

Whence  comest,  and  who  art  thou  ?  for  the  grace 

Accorded  thee  in  us  the  wonder  wakes 

Due  unto  things  which  ne'er  before  had  place." 

And  I :  ''  Through  middle  Tuscany  there  flows 

A  brook  whose  founts  in  Falterona  spring. 

Nor  do  an  hundred  miles  its  current  close : 

From  that  stream's  banks   this   body  of   mine   I 

bring : 
'T  were  vain  to  tell  you  how  my  title  goes. 
For  yet  my  name  hath  not  much  heralding." 
^'  If  well  I  probe  the  sense  thou  hast  conveyed 
With  intellect,"  the  first  who  spake  replied : 
"  Thou  meanest  Arno  !  "  and  the  other  shade 
Said  to  the  former  :  "  Wherefore  did  he  hide 
That  river's  name,  as  men  are  wont  to  do 
Of  things  most  horrible  ?  "  and  then  the  one 
Whom  that  inquiry  was  directed  to, 
Discharged  him  thus  :  "  Why  he  that  name  doth 

shun 
I  cannot  tell :  but  meet  it  is  the  name 
Of  such  a  valley  j^erish  from  the  earth  ! 
Since,  from  its  head  where  so  abounds  the  same 
Great  Alpine  chain  which  cast  Pelorus  forth, 


264  PURGATORY. 

With  springs  that  few  spots  are  impregnate  more, 

To  where  it  seeks,  arriving  at  the  main, 

What  the  sky  sucks  from  ocean  to  restore 

(Whence  rivers  have  what  waters  they  contain), 

Virtue  by  all  is  hunted  for  a  foe 

As  't  were  a  snake  ;  whether  from  fault  of  place 

Or  evil  custom  goading  nature  so  : 

Wherefore  that  miserable  valley's  race 

Have  changed  their  kind  to  that  degree  'twould 

seem 
Circe  had  pastured  them.     Among  brute  swine, 
More  fit  for  mast  than  human  food,  the  stream 
Winds  its  poor  way ;  then,  lower  down  its  line, 
Finds  curs  that  snarl  beyond  their  power  to  bite, 
And  turns  from  them  his  nostril  as  in  scorn. 
Falling  it  goes  ;  and  more  it  grows  in  might, 
The  curst  ditch  finds  that  of  those  dogs  are  born 
A  pack   of   wolves.     Through   many   a   whirlpool 

then 
He  comes  to  foxes  in  deceit  so  deep 
They  fear  no  catching  by  more  crafty  men. 
What  though  o'erheard,  no  silence  will  I  keep ! 
And  well  for  this  man,  if  in  mind  he  bear 
What  my  true  spirit  unfolds.     One  of  thy  blood 
Shall  hunt  those  wolves !    I  see  thy  grandson  there 
Harrowing  the  borders  of  that  savage  flood ; 
All  fly  before  him,  all  are  in  despair : 
He  makes  a  market  of  their  living  flesh, 


CANTO    THE  FOURTEENTH.  2G5 

Then,  like  old  beasts  for  slaughter,  lays  them  low, 
Staining  his  fame  with  many  a  murder  fresh  ; 
He  comes  all  bloody  from  that  wood  of  woe, 
Leaving  such  wreck,  that  in  a  thousand  years 
To  its  primeval  state  it  shall  not  grow." 

Like  one  whose  visage  alters  when  he  hears 
111  hap  foretold,  as  't  were  in  dread  which  way 
The  blow  may  strike,  I  saw  that  other  soul 
Stand  turned  to  hear,  disturbed  and  in  dismay  ; 
Soon  of  those  words  as  he  had  grasped  the  whole. 
His  troubled  air,  and  what  the  other  said, 
To  know  their  names  wrought  in  me  such  a  thirst 
That  I  with  prayers  direct  inquiry  made. 
Wherefore  the  shade  who  had  addrest  me  first 
Began  again :  "  Thou  wouldest  that  I  deign 
Do  thee  a  grace  I  did  in  vain  beseech  ; 
But  since  the  will  of  God  in  thee  so  plain 
Doth  favor  show,  I  will  not  stint  my  speech ; 
Therefore  know  this :  Guido  del  Duca  I. 
My  blood  with  envy  was  so  burnt,  so  bad. 
Thou  mightst  have  seen  me  livid  grow  and  dry, 
Had  I  but  seen  another's  face  look  glad. 
Such  of  my  sowing  is  the  straw  I  reap ! 
O  human  race  !  why  bring  your  wishes  down 
To  pleasures  that  exclude  all  partnership  ? 
This  is  Rinieri ;  this  the  prize  and  crown 
Of  Casa  Calboli,  whereof  no  child 


2G6  PURGATORY. 

Ilatli  made  himself  an  heir  of  his  renown. 

Nor  yet  alone  hath  his  blood  been  despoiled, 

'Twixt  Po,  the  Pennine,  Reno  and  the  shore, 

Of  what  best  needs  for  truth  and  happiness ; 

For  through  those  borders  there  be  plenty  more 

Of  stock  so  bad,  to  make  their  venom  less 

By  cultivation  't  were  but  vain  to  try. 

Where  is  good  Lizio  ?  and  Mainardi  ?     Where 

Pier  Traversaro  and  Carpigna's  Guy  ? 

O  Romagnuoles !  what  bastard  shoots  ye  bear, 

When  sprouts  a  Fabbro  in  Bologna,  when 

Bernardin  Fosco  makes  Faenza  heir 

From  coarse  grass  to  a  growth  of  gentlemen ! 

No  wonder,  Tuscan,  at  my  weeping  thus 

While  I  recall,  remembering  them  so  well, 

Guido  of  Prata,  when  himself  with  us. 

And  Ugolin  of  A^zo,  used  to  dwell ; 

Frederic  Tignoso  and  his  goodly  troop ; 

The  Traversara,  Anastagi's  race  ; 

(Now  disinherited  both  houses  droop !) 

Ladies  and  knights  ;  the  toils'  rejDose  and  grace 

They  wrapt  us  in  of  courtesy  and  love. 

There  where  the  best  blood  such  bad  hearts  debase ! 

O  Brettinoro !  why  dost  thou  not  move 

From  thy  proud  seat,  thy  family  wholly  gone. 

And  many  more,  to  shun  corruption's  course? 

Bagnacaval  does  well  to  have  no  son ; 

And  Castrocaro  ill,  and  Conio  worse 


CANTO   THE  FOURTEENTH.  267 

To  breed  such  counties  taking  further  pains : 
And  well  enough  too,  when  their  devil  is  dead, 
May  the  Pagani  do,  though  some  remains 
Bear  witness  'gainst  them  of  impureness  fled. 

0  Ugolin  de'  Fantoli !  most  sure 

Is  thy  good  name,  since  no  degenerate  head 
Is  looked  for  now,  its  brightness  to  obscure. 
But  go  thy  ways  now,  Tuscan !  more  delight 

1  find  in  weeping  than  in  words,  too  stirred 
By  this  talk  of  our  country."     We  were  quite 
Sure  those  dear  souls  our  way's  direction  heard, 
And  from  their  silence  knew  that  we  went  right. 

Soon  as  proceeding  we  became  alone, 
A  voice,  like  lightning  when  it  strikes,  did  say, 
Rushing  on  tow'rds  us  with  its  thunderous  tone ; 
"  Whoever  findeth  me  the  same  shall  slay  I  " 
Then  fled,  as  thunder,  when  the  bolt  is  thrown 
From  the  torn  cloud,  in  rumbling  dies  away. 
When  on  our  ears  a  moment's  truce  there  fell, 
Another  crash  came  of  like  rattling  shock 
As  of  a  rapid  thunder,  peal  on  peal : 
"/am  Aglauros^  who  became  a  roelc!  " 
On  this,  I  drew  back  from  my  forward  pace 
To  cling  for  shelter  close  behind  the  Bard, 
And  when  the  air  was  hushed  in  all  its  space. 
He  said  to  me :  "  That  was  the  bit  full  hard 
Which  should  each  man  within  his  limit  stay. 


268  PURGATORY. 

You  take  the  bait  so  fondly  that  the  small 
Hook  of  th'  old  enemy  makes  you  his  prey, 
And  bridle  boots  you  naught,  nor  warning  call. 
Heaven  calleth  to  you,  and  the  eternal  round 
Shows  you  of  beauties  that  about  you  roll, 
And  still  your  eye  is  grovelling  on  the  ground ; 
Wherefore  He  smites  you  who  discerns  the  whole." 


CANTO  THE  FIFTEENTH. 

Between  the  third  hour's  close  and  dawn  of  day, 

Much  as  appears  of  the  celestial  sphere 

Ever  in  motion,  like  a  child  at  play. 

So  much  appeared  now  of  the  sun's  career 

To  be  remaining  towards  his  western  way. 

There  it  was  evening ;  here  the  middle  night ; 

And  on  our  front  the  rays  directly  beat. 

For  we  had  circled  so  the  hill  that  right 

On  towards  the  sunset  we  inclined  our  feet. 

When  on  my  brows  I  felt  a  load  of  light. 

Greater  in  splendor  than  before  had  been. 

And  o'er  my  sense,  as  't  were  from  things  unknown, 

A  stupor  stole ;  and  of  my  palms  a  screen 

I  made  against  the  excess  of  light  that  shone. 

As  when  from  water  or  a  mirror's  face 
The  ray  leaps  upward  to  the  opponent  side, 


CANTO   THE  FIFTEENTH.  260 

Mounting  in  like  mode  as  through  equal  space 
The  ray  descendeth,  and  with  line  as  wide 
From  the  direct  line  of  a  falling  stone 
(As  science  shows,  and  art  hath  verified), 
So  did  I  seem,  by  some  reflected  light 
Before  me  there,  to  be  so  struck  that  fain 
I  would  have  suddenly  withdrawn  my  sight. 

"  What  is  it,  gentle  Father,  that  in  vain 

I  shield  my  visage  from,  and  still  towards  us 

Seems  as  in  motion  ?  "     He  made  this  reply : 

"  Marvel  not  if,  as  yet,  the  splendor  thus 

Of  heaven's  bright  household  overpower  thine  eye. 

This  one  is  sent  to  ask  men  up  the  height ; 

Soon  it  shall  be  that  to  behold  these  things 

Will  cause  thee  no  dismay,  but  bring  delight. 

Even  as  thy  soul  due  disposition  brings." 

Soon  as  we  reached  the  blessed  angel's  side 

He  said,  with  glad  voice  :  "  Here  you  enter  in 

By  steps  more  easy  than  you  yet  have  tried." 

We  thence  departed,  and,  ascending  now, 

Heard  Beati  Misericordes  chanted 

Below,  behind  us,  and  "  Be  joyful  thou 

To  whom  to  conquer  in  this  pass  is  granted !  " 

My  Master  and  myself  in  lonely  mood 
Still  mounting,  I  considered  as  I  went 
How  I  might  gather  from  his  word  some  good. 


270  PURGATORY. 

And  turned  to  him  inquiringly  :  "  What  meant 
That  spirit  of  Romagna  speaking  so 
Of  partnership  forbid  ?  "     He  made  reply  : 
''  Of  his  own  worst  defect  he  now  doth  know 
The  torment ;  therefore,  do  not  wonder  why 
Others  he  chides  to  make  their  penance  less. 
Because  you  point  your  wishes  at  a  prize 
Where  part  is  lost  if  it  permit  largesse, 
Envy's  bad  bellows  move  your  selfish  sighs. 
But  if  the  love  of  the  supernal  sphere 
Heavenward  exalted  every  wish  of  yours. 
Your  bosom  would  not  harbor  that  low  fear ; 
For  so  much  more  as  there  they  speak  of  Ours, 
More  love  in  that  celestial  cloister  glows. 
And  so  much  more  of  good  each  soul  secures." 

"  Now  to  be  satisfied  my  hunger  grows," 
I  answered,  "  and  my  mind  is  more  in  doubt 
Than  if  no  question  I  had  asked  of  thee  ! 
How  comes  it,  that  a  blessing  parcelled  out 
More  rich  its  many  owners  makes  to  be 
Than  if  a  few  possessed  it  ?  "     He  replied  : 
"  Because  thy  mind  its  reasoning  cannot  stretch 
Beyond  those  things  of  earth  to  which  't  is  tied ; 
Thou  from  true  light  dost  only  darkness  fetch. 
That  Good  ineffable  and  infinite 
Who  dwells  above  there,  runs  to  love  as  fleet 
As  to  a  lucid  body  a  ray  of  light, 


CANTO    THE  FIFTEENTH.  271 

And  so  much  giveth  as  it  finds  of  heat. 
Broad  as  tlie  flame  of  charity  may  burn, 
The  eternal  flame  above  it  grows  more  great. 
And  more  their  number  is  who  heavenward  yearn, 
More  for  his  love  there  are,  and  they  love  more, 
Like  mirrors  that  each  other's  light  return. 
Now,  if  thou  hunger  still,  despite  my  lore, 
Thou  shalt  see  Beatrice,  and  sure  she  will 
Give  unto  this  and  every  wish  repose  ; 
Only  may  those  five  wounds  remaining  still, 
That  heal  in  aching,  like  the  twain  soon  close  !  " 

Whiles  I  was  musing,  and  would  fain  have  said, 

"  Thou  hast  contented  me,"  I  looked,  and,  lo! 

To  the  next  cornice  we  had  come ;  here  fled 

All  power  of  speech,  mine  eyes  were  ravished  so. 

For,  seized  with  ecstacy,  I  seemed  to  be 

Rapt  in  a  sudden  vision  of  a  crowd 

Met  in  a  temple.     I  could  also  see 

That  entering,  'mid  those  men,  a  woman  stood 

With  sweet  mien  of  a  mother,  saying :  "  Why 

Hast  thou  so  dealt  with  us,  my  darling  son  f 

Behold,  in  every  place  thy  sire  and  I 

Have  sought  thee  sorrowing .""     Soon  as  she  had 

done 
This  vision  vanished,  and  I  next  beheld 
Another  lady,  with  such  drops  besprent 
As  down  the  cheeks  flow  from  a  bosom  swelled 


272  PURGATORY. 

With  scorn  of  some  one  and  by  anguish  rent ; 

Saying  :  "  If  thou  he  ruler  of  the  toicn^ 

About  whose  name  the  gods  had  such  a  strife 

And  whence  all  knowledge  gleams  to  give  renown^ 

Pisistratus  I  avenge  thee  on  his  life 

Whose  hold  emhrace  hath  hrought  our  daughter 

doion  !  " 
And  her  lord  seemed  to  me  benign  and  mild, 
Answering  with  aspect  that  her  fury  stemmed  : 
"  What  should  we  do  to  one    that    harmed   our 

child^ 
If  one  caressing  her  he  so  condemned  f  " 
Next  I  saw  people  raging  hot  in  ire, 
Slaying  a  youth  with  stones,  and  shouting  loud  : 
"  Martyr  him  I  martyr  him  !  "  in  tumult  dire ; 
And  I  saw  him  drop  down  before  the  crowd 
Dying,  but  lifting,  ere  he  did  exj)ire, 
Looks  that  might  win  comj)assion  for  his  foes  ; 
And   with   such   eyes    they  seemed   the   doors  of 

Heaven, 
Praying  the  most  high  Father  that  for  those 
Who  wrought  such  wrong,  their  sin  might  be  for- 
given. 

Soon  as  my  mind,  that  from  itself  had  swerved, 
Came  back  to  true  things  that  outside  it  lie, 
I  knew  my  dreams  false,  but  their  truth  observed. 
My  Leader  then,  who  could  perceive  that  I 


CANTO    THE   FIFTEENTH.  273 

Walked  like  a  man  by  somnolence  unnerved, 
Said  :  Come  !  what  ails  thee  that  thou  canst  not 

keep 
Thy  footing  straight,  but  more  than  half  a  league 
Hast  moved  with  faltering  steps,  as  if  by  sleep 
Or  wine  o'ercome,  and  eyes  that  show  fatigue  ?  " 
I  answered  :  "  O  sweet  Father !     I  will  tell, 
If  thou  wilt  hear  me,  all  that  I  have  seen. 
While  my  limbs   failed  me,  and  my  strength  so 

fell." 
And  he  replied  :  "  Shouldst  thou  thy  visage  screen 
Beneath  an  hundred  masks,  I  still  could  spell 
Each   slightest   thought   of   thine,   and   read   thy 

dreams. 
This  vision  came  lest  thou  be  self-excused 
Thy  heart  from  opening  to  the  peace  that  streams 
From  love's  eternal  fount  o'er  all  diffused. 
I  did  not  ask  '  What  ails  thee  ? '  as  men  speak, 
Who  look  with  mortal  eye  that  cannot  see 
The  soul  without  its  body.     Thou  wast  weak, 
And  I,  to  strengthen,  reprehended  thee. 
So  men  are  wont  dull  servants  to  reprove, 
That  when  their  watch  comes  round  are  slow  to 

stir." 

During  these  words  we  did  not  cease  to  move 
On  through  the  evening,  and  attentive  were 
To  look  beyond  us,  far  as  vision  might, 


274  PURGATORY. 

Against  the  level  sun's  o'erpowering  rays ; 
And  towards  us,  lo !  a  vapor,  dun  as  night. 
Little  by  little  growing  on  our  gaze. 
Deprived  us  of  pure  air  and  dimmed  our  sight ; 
Nor  was  there  shelter  from  the  blinding  haze. 


CANTO  THE   SIXTEENTH. 

Blackness  of  hell,  and  of  a  night  unblest 

By  any  planet  in  a  barren  sky 

Which  dunnest  clouds  to  utmost  gloom  congest, 

Could  not  with  veil  so  gross  have  barred  mine  eye. 

Nor  so  austere  to  sense,  as  now  oppressed 

Us  in  that  fog  which  we  were  folded  by. 

Its  sharpness  open  eye  might  not  abide ; 

Therefore  my  wise  and  faithful  Escort  lent 

His  shoulder's  aid,  nigh-coming  to  my  side, 

And,  thus  companioned,  close  with  him  I  went 

(Like  a  blind  man  who  goes  behind  liis  guide. 

Lest  he  go  wrong  or  strike  him  against  aught 

To  kill  him,  haply,  or  his  life  impair) 

On  through  that  sharp  and  bitter  air,  in  thought 

My  Duke  observing,  who  stiU  said :  "  Beware 

Lest  thou  be  separate  from  me !  "     Anon 

Voices  I  heard,  and  each  voice  seemed  in  prayer 

For  peace  and  pity  to  the  Holy  One 

Of  God,  the  Lamb  who  taketh  sins  away ; 


CANTO   THE  SIXTEENTH.  275 

Still  from  tliem  all  one  word,  one  measure  streamed, 

Still  Agnus  Dei  prelude  of  their  lay. 

So  that  among  them  perfect  concord  seemed. 

"  Those,  then,  are  spirits.  Master,  that  I  hear  ?  " 

I  asked.    He  answered  :  "  Rightly  hast  thou  deemed : 

They  go  untangling  anger's  knot  severe." 

"  Now  who  art  thou  discoursing  at  thy  will 

Of  us  ?    Who  cleavest  with  thy  shape  our  smoke 

As  time  by  calends  thou  wert  measuring  still?" 

So  said  a  voice,  whereat  my  Master  spoke : 

"  Ask  him  if  any  mounteth  hence,  up  there." 

And  I :  "  O  being,  who  dost  make  thee  pure 

Unto  thy  Maker  to  return  as  fair 

As  thou  wert  born !  draw  near  me,  and  full  sure 

Thou  shalt  hear  something  to  awake  thy  stare." 

"  Far  will  I  follow  as  allowed,"  he  said ; 

"  And  if  the  smoke  permit  us  not  to  see, 

Our  sense  of  hearing  may  avail  instead 

Of  sight,  and  grant  me  to  converse  with  thee." 

Then  I  began  :  "  With  that  same  fleshly  frame 

Which  death  dissolveth,  I  am  bound  above ; 

Here  through  the  infernal  embassy  I  came. 

And  if  God  so  enfold  me  in  his  love 

That  His  grace  grants  me  to  behold  His  court 

In  manner  diverse  from  all  modern  wont. 

Keep  not  from  me  the  knowledge,  but  report 

Who  thou  wast,  living,  and  if  up  the  mount 

My  course  is  right :  thy  word  shall  us  escort." 


276  PURGATORY. 

"  Lombard  I  was,  and  Mark  tlie  name  I  bore ; 
I  knew  the  world,  and  loved  that  sort  of  worth 
At  wliich  men  bend  their  bows  not  any  more. 
Thy  course  is  right ;  climb  on  directly  forth." 
He  answered,  adding  :  "  Pray  for  me  when  thou 
Shalt  be  up  there."     I  answered  him  :  ''  I  bind 
MyseK  in  good  faith  by  a  solemn  vow 
To  grant  thy  wish ;  but  with  one  doubt  my  mind 
Will  burst  within,  miless  I  solve  it  now. 
The  simple  doubt  which  I  had  formed  before, 
From  others'  words,  is  doubled  now  by  thine. 
Which,  joined  with  those  words,  make  my  doubt 

the  more. 
The  world,  in  sooth,  as  I  may  well  divine 
From  what  thou  say'st,  is  wicked  at  the  core 
And  clothed  with  evil ;  of  all  virtue  bare. 
Show  me,  I  pray,  that  I  may  tell  again 
Others,  the  cause  of  this ;  for  some  declare 
That  Heaven  is  cause  of  ill,  and  some  say  men." 
A  deep-drawn  sigh  which  anguish  made  a  groan 
First  giving  vent  to,  "  Brother,"  s]3ake  he  then : 
"  The  world  is  blind ;  sure  thou  of  them  art  one ! 
Ye,  who  are  living,  every  cause  refer 
Still  to  high  Heaven,  as  though  necessity 
Moved  all  things  through  Heaven's  motion.    If  this 

were, 
Freedom  of  will  impossible  would  be. 
Nor  were  it  just  that  goodness  should  for  her 


CANTO    THE   SIXTEENTH.  211 

Sure  meed  have  joy,  and  badness,  misery. 

Heaven  to  your  actions  the  first  movement  gives ; 

I  say  not  all :  but  granted  I  say  all. 

For  good  or  evil  each  his  light  receives, 

And  a  free  will,  which,  if  it  do  not  fall, 

But  win  Heaven's  first  hard  battle,  then  it  lives, 

And,  if  well-trained,  is  never  held  in  thrall. 

"  To  greater  power  and  to  a  higher  soul 
Free,  ye  are  subject ;  and  that  power  in  you 
Creates  the  mind,  which  no  stars  can  control : 
Hence  if  the  present  world  go  wrong,  't  is  due 
To  your  own  selves ;  and  of  this  theme  the  whole 
I  will  expound  as  an  informer  true. 
Forth  from  His  hand  (before  its  birth  who  smiled 
On  his  new  offspring)  into  being  goes 
A  little  weeping,  laughing,  wanton  child. 
The  simple  infant  soul  that  nothing  knows, 
Save  that,  by  pleasure  willingly  beguiled. 
She  turns  to  joy  as  her  glad  Maker  chose. 
Taste  of  some  trifling  good  it  first  perceives, 
And,  cheated  so,  runs  for  the  shining  flower. 
Unless  a  rein  or  guide  its  love  retrieves. 
Hence  there  was  need  of  law's  restraining  power  ; 
A  king  there  needed,  that  at  least  some  one 
Of  God's  true  city  might  discern  the  tower. 
The  laws  exist,  but  who  maintains  them  ?  none ; 
Because  the  Shepherd,  sovereign  of  the  fold, 


278  PURGATORY. 

Though  he  may  ruminate,  no  cleft  hoof  bears : 

The  people  then,  seeing  their  guide  so  fond 

Of  what  they  crave,  and  with  like  greed  as  theirs, 

Pasture  with  him,  and  seek  no  good  beyond. 

'T  is  plain  to  see  that  what  hath  made  mankind 

So  bad,  is  evil  guidance,  not  your  own 

Corrupted  nature.     Once  of  old  there  shined 

The  twofold  splendors  of  a  double  sun 

In  Rome,  which  city  brought  the  world  to  good ; 

One  showed  the  way  of  earth  to  men,  and  one 

Gave  them  to  see  the  other  way,  of  God. 

One  hath  destroyed  the  other,  and  the  sword 

Is  with  the  crosier  joined,  that  neither  fears 

The  other's  check ;  so  joined,  they  ill  accord. 

If  thou  dost  doubt  me,  think  what  fruit  appears 

In  the  full  blade,  since  every  plant  we  know 

For  good  or  evil  by  the  seed  it  bears. 

Once  in  that  goodly  region  by  the  Po 

And  Adige  watered,  valor  used  to  dwell 

And  courtesy,  ere  Frederic's  trouble  came : 

Now  one  might  journey  tln-ough  that  country  well 

Secure  from  meeting  (if  it  gave  him  shame 

To  speak  with  good  men)  any  that  excel. 

Three  old  men  yet  dwell  there  in  whom  the  old 

Chides  the  new  age,  and  time  seems  slow  to  run 

To  them,  till  God  replace  them  in  his  fold : 

Currado  da  Palazzo,  he  is  one, 

Gherardo  likewise,  of  the  life  unblamed, 


CANTO   THE  SIXTEENTH.  279 

And  Guido  da  Castello,  who  percliance 

Simply  the  Lombard  might  be  better  named, 

After  the  fashion  of  their  speech  in  France. 

Say  thou  this  day,  then,  that  the  Church  of  Rome, 

Confounding  human  rule  and  sway  divine. 

Sinks,  with  her  charge,  beluted  in  the  loam." 

"  Thou  reasonest  well,"  I  said,  "  O  Marco  mine  ! 

And  I  perceive  now  why  the  sacred  tome 

The  sons  of  Levi  bars  from  heritage. 

But  who  is  that  Gherardo  who  thou  say'st 

Kemaineth  in  rebuke  of  this  rough  age 

From  those  who  formerly  the  realm  possessed  ?  " 

"  Either  thy  tongue  misleads  me,  or  thou  show'st 

A  wish  to  try  me,"  he  to  me  replied, 

"  That,  using  Tuscan  speech,  thou  nothing  know'st 

Of  good  Gherardo.     No  surname  beside 

I  know,  unless  unto  that  name  he  bore 

One  from  his  daughter  Gaia  be  supplied. 

Go  thou  with  God  !     I  follow  thee  no  more. 

See  !  raying  yonder  through  the  fog,  a  gleamy 

Splendor  that  whitens  it ;  I  must  away 

(It  is  the  Angel  there  !)  before  he  see  me." 

Thus  turned  he,  nor  would  hear  me  further  say. 


280  PURGATORY. 

CANTO  THE   SEVENTEENTH. 

Bethink  thee,  reader,  if  tliou  e'er  liast  been 
Among  the  Alps  o'ertaken  by  a  cloud, 
Through  which  all  objects  were  as  blindly  seen 
As  moles    behold    things    through    their    visual 

shroud, 
How,  as  the  vapors  dank  and  thick  begin 
To  thin  themselves,  the  solar  sphere's  faint  ray 
Scarce  pierces  them  ;  then  readily  mayst  thou 
Conceive,  when  first  I  saw  it,  in  what  way 
To  me  the  sun  looked  that  was  setting  now. 
From  such  a  cloud,  and  following  as  I  went 
My  Master's  faithful  steps  with  even  pace, 
I  came  to  where  the  day's  last  rays  were  spent 
On  the  low  border  of  the  mountain's  base. 

O  gift  imaginative  !  that  dost  so 

Of  ourselves  rob  us,  that  ofttimes  a  man 

Heeds  not,  though  round  him  thousand  trumpets 

blow! 
If  thee  sense  move  not,  whence  the  power  that  can  ? 
A  light  moves  thee,  Heaven-kindled,  and  doth  flow 
By  wiU  divine  directed,  or  its  own. 
My  fancy  with  her  fury  was  engrossed 
Who  took  the  shape  of  that  sweet  bird  well  known 
To  be  of  his  own  song  enamored  most ; 


CANTO   THE  SEVENTEENTH.  281 

And  here  my  mind  was  in  itself  so  chained, 
That  it  received  no  object  from  outside. 
Then  into  my  high  fantasy  there  rained 
The  image  of  a  person  crucified, 
Fierce  in  his  aspect,  with  a  face  of  hate, 
When,  with  this  look,  despitefully  he  died. 
Round  him  there  stood  Ahasuerus  great, 
Esther  his  spouse,  and  Mordecai  the  true. 
Of  whose  just  word  just  action  still  was  mate. 
And  as  this  image  from  my  mind  withdrew, 
Of  itself  breaking  as  a  bubble  does. 
Failing  the  water  under  which  it  grew, 
A  damsel  weeping  on  my  vision  rose. 
Moaning  aloud  and  crying  :  "  Why^  O  queen  ! 
Hast  thou  through  anger  wished  thyself  undone  f 
Not  to  lose  thy  Lavinia^  thou  hast  ta^en 
Thy  life^  and  lost  me  I     Mother^  I  am  one 
Doomed   to   mourn   thee   more   than   a    hushand 
slain  !  " 

Even  as  our  slumber,  when  a  flash  of  light 
A  sleeper's  eyes  doth  suddenly  confront, 
Is  broken,  quivering  ere  it  dieth  quite. 
So  fell  my  vision,  as  a  beam  past  wont 
In  its  excess  of  splendor  smote  my  sight. 
I  turned  to  see  where  'twas  I  had  been  brought. 
When  a    voice  called   to    me  :  "  Climb    here    the 
hill!" 


282  PURGATORY. 

This  put  all  other  i3urpose  from  my  thought, 

And  gave  such  eagerness  unto  my  will 

To  find  that  counsellor  and  mark  his  mien, 

My  spirit  went  unsatisfied  until 

Face  unto  face  the  speaker  might  be  seen. 

And,  as  one  views  not  the  sun's  figure  clear 

Through   light's   great  superflux   that   blinds  our 

gaze, 
So  was  my  visual  virtue  wanting  here. 
"  This  is  a  heavenly  spirit,"  Virgil  says, 
"  That  with  his  splendor  veils  him  from  thine  eye, 
And  guides  us  up  our  way,  nor  waits  for  prayer. 
He  does  by  us  as  men  would  be  done  by ; 
For  who  sees  need,  and  doth,  till  asked,  forbear, 
Abeady  seems  ill-purposed  to  deny. 
Such  invitation  let  our  feet  obey  ! 
Haste  we  to  mount  before  the  darkness  grow, 
For  then  we  could  not  till  return  of  day." 
So  spake  my  Leader :  I  beside  him  slow 
Pacing,  we  bended  toward  a  stair  our  way ; 
And,  as  my  foot  the  first  ascension  pressed, 
I  felt  a  movement  near  me  as  of  wings 
Fanning  my  face,  and  then  a  voice  said  :  "  Blest 
Are  the  peacemakers  !  evil  angerings 
They  know  not."     Overhead  the  sun's  last  rays 
Were  so  uplifted,  followed  by  the  night. 
That  round  us  many  a  star  began  to  blaze. 
And,  as  I  felt  my  body's  waning  might. 


CANTO   THE  SEVENTEENTH.  283 

"  Wliy  dost  tliou  fail  me,  O  my  strength?"  I  said: 
But  having  come  now  where  we  climbed  no  more, 
On  the  stair's  brink  we  ceased  our  toilsome  tread. 
Fixed  as  a  vessel  that  arrives  at  shore. 
I  stopped  awhile,  and  waited  as  to  hear 
In  this  new  circle  aught  perchance  of  sound, 
Then  thus  addressed  my  Lord :  "  My  Father  dear ! 
Say,  what  offence  is  punished  in  this  round  ? 
Stay  not  thy  speech,  although  thy  feet  are  stayed." 
"  The  love  of  good,"  thus  Virgil  me  bespoke, 
"  Wherein  deficient,  here  is  perfect  made  ; 
Here  the  slow  oar  receives  amending  stroke. 
But  that  thy  mind  with  more  expanded  powers 
May  conceive  this,  attend  to  me,  nor  shun 
To  reap  some  harvest  from  this  halt  of  ours. 

"  Never  creator,"  he  began,  "  my  son. 
Was  without  love,  nor  anything  create ; 
Either  love  natural,  or  that  nobler  one 
Born  of  the  mind ;  thou  know'st  the  truth  I  state. 
Natural  love  ne'er  takes  erroneous  course ; 
Through  ill-directed  aim  the  other  may. 
Or  from  excess,  or  from  a  want  of  force. 
While  o'er  its  bent  the  Primal  Good  hath  sway. 
While  with  due  check  it  seeks  the  inferior  good. 
It  cannot  be  the  source  of  wrong  delight. 
But  when  it  swerves  to  ill,  or  if  it  should 
Seek  good  with  more  or  less  zeal  than  is  right, 


284  PURGATORY. 

Asfainst  the  Maker  doth  his  work  rebel. 

Whence  mayst  thou  comprehend  how  love  in  you 

Must  of  all  virtue  be  the  seed,  as  well 

As  of  each  action  to  which  jDain  is  due. 

Now  since  love  must  look  ever  towards  its  own 

Subjects'  well-being,  things  are  from  self -hate 

Saved ;  and  since  naught  can  be  supposed  alone 

Extant,  from  the  First  Being  separate, 

Hatred  of  Him  is  also  spared  to  men. 

Remains  (if  rightly  I  divide,  I  say) 

The  ill  that 's  loved  must  be  a  neighbor's  then. 

And  in  three  modes  this  love  springs  in  your  clay. 

One,  through  the  crushing  of  his  fellow,  fain 

Would  come  to  eminence,  with  sole  desire 

His  greatness  o'er  that  other's  to  maintain. 

One  at  another's  rising  feareth  loss 

Of  power,  fame,  favor,  and  his  o^vn  good  name ; 

So  sickens,  joying  in  his  neighbor's  cross. 

And  there  is  one  whom  wrong  so  weighs  with  shame, 

That  greed  of  vengeance  doth  his  heart  engross ; 

And  such  must  needs  work  evil  for  his  brother. 

This  threefold  bad  love  those  mourn  here  below : 

Now  I  would  have  thee  learn  about  another, 

Wliich  runs  to  good,  but  doth  no  measure  know. 

All  vaguely  apprehend  a  good  wherein 

The  soul  may  rest  itself ;  and  all  men  woo 

This  imaged  weal,  and  seek  its  peace  to  win. 

And  if  thereon  but  languid  love  ye  set. 


CANTO    THE  EIGHTEENTH.  285 

Or  be  full  slack  to  seek,  such  sin  ye  rue 
Along  this  round,  though  after  just  regret. 
There  is  another  good,  far,  far,  from  bliss ! 
Nor  makes  man  happy :  not  the  essence  true 
Of  all  availing  fruit  the  root.     To  this 
The  love  which  too  much  doth  itself  resign 
Is  mourned  for  in  three  cornices  above  ; 
But  how  tripartite,  I  will  not  define  : 
Thou  shalt,  by  seeing,  learn  about  that  love." 


CANTO  THE   EIGHTEENTH. 

The  lofty  Doctor  ended  his  discourse 
And  gazed  intently  in  mine  eyes  to  see 
If  I  looked  satisfied.     The  stinging  force 
Of  a  new  thirst  was  still  tormenting  me, 
And  I  stood  silent ;  but  within,  "  Perchance," 
I  said,  "  this  too  much  questioning  of  mine 
Annoys  him."     He,  true  Father !  at  a  glance 
The  timid  wish  unuttered  could  divine, 
And  spake,  in  speech  emboldening  my  advance. 
"  Master,"  I  said,  "  in  thy  light's  ray  mine  own 
Sight  is  so  quickened  that  I  see  most  clear 
Far  as  thy  reasoning  bears  or  maketh  known : 
Wherefore,  I  pray  thee,  gentle  Father  dear, 
To  show  me  what  love  is,  to  which  alone 
Every  good  act  and  bad  thou  dost  refer." 


286  PURGATORY. 

"  Turn  unto  me  the  sharpest  gleams,"  he  said, 
*'  Of  thine  own  intellect,  and  thou  wilt  find 
Their  error  manifest  by  whom  are  led 
Most  men :  the  self-made  leaders,  themselves  blind. 

"  The  mind,  create  with  tendency  to  love, 

Towards  aught  which  pleases  it  is  quick  to  spring, 

Soon  as  from  pleasure  it  begins  to  move. 

Your  apprehension  from  some  real  thing 

Unfolds  in  you  an  image  that  it  wove 

And  turns  the  soul  that  way.     If,  growing  fond 

Of  such  an  object,  she  incline  thereto, 

That  inclination  love  is,  nature's  bond. 

By  sense  of  pleasure  newly  bound  in  you. 

Then,  as  the  flame  which  ever  upward  strives, 

Born,  by  its  fashion,  to  ascend  where  fire 

In  its  own  element  the  longest  lives. 

So  mounts  the  kindled  soul  into  desire ; 

A  motion  spiritual,  without  repose. 

Until  the  soul  possess  what  gives  delight. 

Now  mayest  thou  note  how  truth  is  hid  from  those 

Who  say  that  all  love  in  itself  is  right ; 

For  even  though  haply  its  material  should 

Seem  always  good,  not  every  impress  might 

Be  without  fault,  albeit  the  wax  were  good." 

"  Thy  words,  and  my  swift  intellect,  that  sped 
After  each  word,  have  opened  to  my  mind 


CANTO   THE  EIGHTEENTH.  287 

Love  and  its  working ;  yet  more  doubt,"  I  said, 
"  Lnpregnates  me.     Unless  the  soul  may  find 
Some  other  footing,  and  to  love  be  led, 
What  merit  whether  right  or  wrong  it  go  ?  " 

He  answered :  "  Far  as  reason  may  discern 

Here  I  can  tell  thee  ;  all  else  thou  shalt  know 

From  Beatrice ;  when  faith  works,  thou  wilt  learn. 

Every  essential  form  that  is  connected 

With  matter,  yet  from  matter  separate, 

Has  in  it  a  specific  grace  collected 

Which  never  doth  its  nature  demonstrate 

Unless  it  work ;  felt  only  by  the  effect, 

As  life  in  plants  by  the  green  leaves  is  shown. 

How  dawn  the  first  desires,  whence  intellect 

The  first  ideas  hath,  is  to  man  unknown : 

These  are  in  you  as  business  in  the  bee 

To  make  his  honey ;  and  this  primal  will 

No  praise  deserveth,  and  from  blame  is  free. 

Now  since  all  others  flock  towards  this  one  still, 

The  power  that  counselleth  is  born  in  you, 

Consent's  doorkeeper,  standing  on  the  sill. 

Here  is  that  principle  to  which  is  due 

Occasion  of  yom^  good  or  ill  desert. 

As  ye  chose  good,  and  from  the  bad  withdrew. 

The  deepest  reasoners  always  did  assert 

This  innate  freedom,  of  whose  law  they  knew. 

And  hence  bequeathed  their  ethic  rules  to  men : 


288  PURGATORY. 

That  every  love  which  kindleth  you  cloth  rise 

From  such  necessity,  supposing  then 

The  power  to  govern  it  within  you  lies. 

Freedom  of  will  is  named  by  Beatrice 

The  noble  faculty  ;  in  thy  rej^lies, 

Should  she  discourse  thereof,  remember  this." 

Almost  at  midnight  the  belated  moon 
Rose  like  a  burning  bucket,  in  whose  blaze 
The  dwindled  stars  but  few  or  faintly  shone, 
Crossing  the  constellations  by  those  ways 
Which  men  in  Rome  see  flaming,  when  the  sun 
Sets  'twixt  Sardinia  and  the  Corsic  isle. 
That  gentle  shade  from  whom  Pietbla's  towTi 
Is  now  more  famed  than  Mantua  was  erewhile, 
Had  loosed  the  burden  that  had  weighed  me  down, 
And,  on  my  questionings,  relieved  my  mind 
By  plain  solution.     Drowsily  and  dumb 
I  stood,  like  one  to  somnolence  inclined ; 
But  soon  my  dreaming  was  dispelled  by  some 
That  suddenly  ran  crowding  up  behind 
Our  shoulders,  close  toward  us  already  come. 
And  as  along  Ismenus  and  thy  shore, 
Asopus  !  night  saw  rush  the  frenzied  throng 
Whenever  Thebes  would  Bacchus'  aid  implore, 
So,  judging  from  those  first  who  led  along. 
This  people,  curving  round  the  cornice,  pour, 
Whom  just  love  warms  and  good  wall  spurreth  on. 


CANTO   THE  EIGHTEENTH.  289 

Soon  they  were  full  upon  us,  aU  so  fast 

Of  that  great  multitude  came  and  were  gone ! 

And  two  in  front  cried,  weeping  as  they  passed : 

"  To  the  hill-country  Mary  sped  amain  ! 

And  Caesar  to  smite  Lerida  made  haste, 

Struck  at  Marseilles,  then  darted  into  Spain !  " 

"  Quick !  quick !  "  the  next  cried  ;  "  not  a  moment 

waste 
Through  want  of  love  !  so  grace  may  freshly  grow 
For  us,  as  in  well-doing  we  make  haste." 

"  O  ye,  in  whom  a  zeal  more  fervid  now 

Pays  haply  for  that  negligence  and  sloth 

Which  lukewarmness  once  gave  your  doing  well ! 

This  being  who  lives  (and  sure  I  utter  truth), 

Would  climb  the  hill,  should  sunlight  aid  us.    Tell, 

Therefore,  where  we  the  nearest  pass  may  find?" 

These  were  the  words  that  from  my  Leader  fell. 

And  straight  one  spirit  replied :  "  Follow  behind 

Our  footsteps ;  thou  wilt  find  the  open  place. 

Our  own  ascent  so  fills  our  every  thought 

We  may  not  linger :  therefore  yield  us  grace, 

If  penitence  in  courtesy  lack  aught. 

Once  at  San  Zeno  in  Verona,  I 

Was  Abbot,  in  good  Barbarossa's  days, 

Whom  still  to  mention  maketh  Milan  sigh. 

He  in  the  grave  one  foot  already  has 

Who  for  that  monastery  soon  must  mourn, 


290  PURGATORY. 

And  for  the  sway  he  held  therein  be  sad ; 
Because  that  son  of  his,  the  evil-born, 
In  his  whole  body  bad,  in  mind  most  bad, 
He  in  the  seat  of  its  true  pastor  placed !  " 
If  more  he  said,  or  ceased,  I  cannot  tell, 
Even  now  beyond  us  he  so  far  had  raced ; 
But  this  with  pleasure  I  remember  weU. 

He  then,  my  help  at  every  need  who  brought 
Said :  "  Turn  this  way ;  observe  the  pair  that  come 
Their  own  sloth  biting  with  remorseful  thought." 
Behind  the  rest  they  murmured  :  "  Those  for  whom 
The  Red  Sea  opened,  all  were  dead  before 
Jordan  beheld  their  children  in  his  land ! 
And  they,  who  could  not  to  the  close  endure 
His  labors  with  ^neas,  kept  the  strand 
Of  Sicily,  nor  lived  for  glory  more." 

When  the  swift  spirits  round  the  hill  had  fled 

So  far  they  were  not  in  our  vision's  range, 

A  new  thought  entered  me,  from  which  was  bred 

Full  many  another  novel  thought  and  strange, 

Until  mine  eyes  in  pleasing  drowsihead 

I  closed,  and  thinking,  did  to  slumber  change. 


CANTO   THE  NINETEENTH.  291 

CANTO   THE   NINETEENTH. 

In  that  hour's  chillness  when  the  heat  of  day 
Tempers  the  coldness  of  the  moon  no  more, 
Vanquished  by  Earth,  or  oft  by  Saturn's  sway, 
When  geomancers  in  the  East,  before 
The  dawn's  white  light  subduing  soon  the  gray, 
Read  of  their  major  fortune  the  bright  score. 
There  came,  in  dream,  a  woman  to  my  sight. 
Stammering,   cross-eyed,   maimed   in   both  hands, 

each  one 
Of  her  feet  clubbed,  with  countenance  dead-white. 
I  looked  on  her,  and  even  as  the  sun 
Comforts  the  cold  limbs  all  benumbed  by  night. 
So  gave  my  gaze  a  glibness  to  her  tongue  ; 
Her  shape  grew  straight,  and  love's  lost  coloring 

ran 
Back  through  her  cheeks,  as  love  would  have  them, 

young. 

Then,  with  her  speech  thus  loosened,  she  began 

To  sing  so,  not  to  listen  had  been  pain : 

"  I  'm  the  sweet  Siren,  I  am  she  who  can 

Misguide  the  mariners  in  the  middle  main  ; 

So  full  of  pleasaunce  is  my  voice  to  hear  ! 

I  turned  Ulysses  with  the  notes  I  pour. 

From  his  vague  wanderings ;  and  whoso  gives  ear, 


292  PURGATORY. 

To  grow  familiar,  seldom  giveth  o'er 

Delight  in  following  one  so  wholly  dear  : 

Who  learns  to  love  me,  leaves  me  nevermore." 

Scarce  was  her  mouth  shut  when  a  lady  came 

Up  close  beside  me,  rapid  in  her  tread, 

Whose  holy  mien  that  other  put  to  shame. 

"  O  Virgil,  Virgil !  "  angrily  she  said  ; 

"  What  wretch  is  this  ?  "   and    while   my   Master 

bent 
His  steps  toward  her,  fixed  by  her  innocent  face, 
She  seized  that  other,  and  her  garment  rent 
Before  her  bosom,  and  disrobed  the  place 
Which  broke  my  slumber  with  its  noisome  scent. 

I  turned  mine  eyes,  good  Virgil  saying :    "  At  least 
Thrice  have  I  called  thee :  rise,  and  let  us  find 
The  pass  where  we  may  enter."     Ere  he  ceased 
I  had  sprung  up.     The  new-born  sun  behind 
Spread  o'er  the  circles  and  the  day  increased, 
Till  all  the  sacred  hill  in  glory  shined. 
I,  following,  bore  my  forehead  in  a  ridge, 
Like  one  whose  front  is  bent  by  thought  severe, 
And  makes  himself  the  half -arch  of  a  bridge. 
When  these  words  caught  me :    "  Come  !  the  pass 

is  here ! " 
Benignly  uttered,  in  so  sweet  a  tone 
As  ne'er  was  heard  upon  this  mortal  strand. 
With  open  wings,  that  seemed  as  of  a  swan, 


CANTO   THE  NINETEENTH.  293 

The  angel  waved  us  upward  with  his  hand 

Between  the  two  walls  of  the  flinty  stone, 

Then  moved  those  pinions  and  our  faces  fanned, 

Affirming :  "  Blessed  are  the  souls  that  mourn  ! 

They  shall  he  comforted.''''     And  while  he  stood 

A  little  over  us,  my  Guide  in  turn 

Began  to  say  to  me  :  "  What  means  thy  mood  ? 

What  bends  thy  look  so  to  the  earth  below  ?  " 

"  A  recent  vision  that  was  mine,"  said  I, 

"  Makes  me  thus  faltering,  doubtful  as  I  go, 

For  from  the  thought  of  it  I  cannot  fly." 

"  That  ancient  sorceress  hast  beheld,"  said  he, 

"  To  whom  the  spirits  up  higher  their  misery  owe  ? 

Didst  mark  how  man  from  her  foul  spell  gets  free  ? 

Enough !  with  haughty  heel  smite  fast  the  ground, 

And  fix  thine  eye  where  Heaven's  eternal  King 

Lures   thee   with   His    great    spheres'    perpetual 

round." 
Even  as  the  falcon  ere  he  make  his  spring 
Looks  at  his  foot,  then  turns  him  at  the  cry 
To  snatch  the  food  that  he  is  tempted  toward 
Through  greediness  thereof,  the  same  was  I ; 
And  where  the  cloven  rock  did  way  afford 
To  one  in  climbing,  I  went  up  as  high 
As  the  next  cornice  round  the  mountain  scored. 

Loosed  into  this  fifth  circle  freely  forth, 
I  saw  a  people  weeping  all  around 


294  PURGATORY. 

With  down-turned  faces  prostrate  on  the  earth. 
"  Adhcesit  pavimento  !  to  the  ground 
My  sold  did  cleave^^^  I  heard  ;  but  in  their  birth 
These  words  were  ahnost  choked  with  sighs  pro- 
found. 
"  O  souls  elect  of  God  !  whose  sufferings 
Justice  and  hope  temj)er  to  lesser  pain, 
Direct  us  where  the  lofty  stairway  springs." 
"  Free  from  our  penance  if  ye  come,  and  fain 
Would  find  the  way  more  quickly,  ever  bear 
Towards  the  right  hand,  keeping  the  hill  inside." 
So  prayed  the  Poet,  and  some  spirit  there, 
A  little  way  before  us,  thus  replied. 
Which  the  hid  speaker  was,  the  sound  betrayed ; 
Mine  own  eyes  met  the  looking  of  my  Lord ; 
Whence  of  assent  a  cheerful  sign  he  made 
To  what  he  saw  my  dumb  desire  implored. 
And  when  I  felt  that  he  meant,  "  Yes^  you  can  I  " 
Straight  I  moved  on  that  grovelling  creature  to- 
ward 
(Whose  words  had  made  me  note  him),  and  began : 
"  Spirit !  whose  grief  that  penitence  matures 
Without  which  God  receive th  back  no  man. 
Suspend  awhile  that  chief  concern  of  yours. 
Tell  who  thou  wast ;  and  wherefore  prone  ye  lie  ? 
And  wouldst  thou  that  I  help  thee  with  my  prayer  ? 
For  I  am  living  in  the  world  on  high." 
And  he :  "  Thou  shalt  know  for  what  sin  we  bear 


CANTO   THE  NINETEENTH.  295 

Our  backs  turned  heavenward  ;  but  know  first  that  I 
Was  a  successor  once  to  Peter's  chair. 


"  Between  Chiaveri  and  Sestri  flows 
Down  a  fair  streamlet,  from  the  name  whereof 
The  title  of  my  blood  and  family  rose. 
One  month,  and  little  more,  was  mine  to  prove 
How  the  great  mantle  weighs  on  him  that  fain 
Would  keep  it  spotless :  every  load  would  seem 
Feathers  to  that.     Late  penitence,  how  vain ! 
But  when  Eome's  pastor  I  was  made,  the  dream 
Broke,  and  the  falsehood  of  my  life  was  plain. 
That  lofty  seat  I  could  not  climb  above  ; 
Yet  there  I  found  the  heart  was  not  at  rest, 
Whence  of  this  life  awoke  in  me  the  love. 
Up  to  that  point  I  was  a  wretch  whose  breast 
With  avarice  rank  against  my  Maker  strove  : 
Now  here  behold  me  to  this  doom  depressed  ! 
What  avarice  bringeth,  now  is  rendered  clear, 
In  the  purgation  of  these  penitent  souls, 
Nor  has  this  mount  a  penance  more  severe. 
Even  as  our  vision,  fixed  on  earthly  goals. 
Never  looked  upward.  Justice  sinks  it  here 
Earthward,  long  ages.     And  as  avarice  killed 
Our  zeal  for  good  (so  love's  effect  was  lost !) 
Bound  hand  and  foot,  till  Justice  be  fulfilled, 
Must  we  lie  here  to  learn  what  avarice  cost, 
Stretched  moveless,  long  as  the   just   Lord    hath 
willed.  " 


296  PURGATORY. 

I  had  kneeled  down  to  him,  and  would  have  spoken, 
But  at  my  first  word,  listening,  he  perceived 
By  my  near  voice  the  reverential  token, 
And  said  :  "  Why  stoop  ?  "  I  answered  :  "  It  re- 
lieved 
Mine  upright  conscience  not  to  stand  before 
Such  dignity  as  thine."     Then  he,  as  grieved  : 
"  Straighten  thy  limbs,  my  brother  !  err  no  more. 
I  am  the  fellow-servant  (bend  thee  not !) 
Of  these  and  thee,  to  one  supernal  power. 
If  thou  hast  read,  nor  hast  His  voice  forgot, 
Where  in  the  Holy  Gospel  He  doth  say 
These  words  :  '  They   neither   marry ^ '  thou    wilt 

know 
Why  I  speak  thus.     Now  I  beseech  thee,  stay 
No  longer  with  me  ;  I  would  have  thee  go  : 
Thy  tarrying  stops  the  tears  which  thou  didst  say 
Mature  the  penitence  wherefrom  they  flow. 
I  have,  on  earth,  a  kinswoman  by  name 
Alagia  :  innocent,  unless  our  line 
Corrupt  by  bad  example,  bring  her  blame ; 
And  she  is  all  remains  that  once  was  mine." 


CANTO   THE   TWENTIETH. 

A  WEAK  will  yields,  by  better  over-willed  ; 
Whence,  to  please  him,  my  pleasure  I  postponed. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTIETH.  297 

And  from  the  water  drew  the  sponge  unfilled. 
My  Guide  and  I,  among  the  spirits  that  moaned, 
Where   space  was   found,  shouldering   the   rocky 

steep, 
Crept,  as  one  walking  on  a  city  wall 
Hugs  close  the  battlement.     The  souls  that  weep 
From  worn  eyes,  drop  by  drop,  the  sin  that  all 
The  whole  world  occupies,  too  closely  crowd 
Upon  that  other  side  whence  one  might  fall. 

Accursed  be  thou,  wolf  of  ancient  brood 
That  hast  more  prey  than  any  beast  beside ! 
Having  a  greed  so  infinite  for  food. 

0  Heaven  !  in  whose  bright  circlings  men  confide 
To  change  the  state  of  things  down  here  below. 
When  will  He  come  who  shall  drive  her  to  Hell  ? 
Onward  we  move  with  footsteps  few  and  slow. 
While  those  poor  shadows  by  their  moans  compel 
Me  still  to  list  their  weeping  and  their  woe. 

By  chance  before  me  one  cried  in  such  strain 
Of  agony:  "  Sweet  Mary  !  "  that  methought 

1  heard  some  woman  in  her  time  of  pain. 
Then  followed  thus  :  "  How  lowly  was  thy  lot ! 
As  by  that  humble  hostelry  is  plain 

Where  with  thy  holy  burden  thou  wast  brought." 
Following  I  heard :  "  O  good  Fabricius  !  thou 
Wouldst  rather  have  thy  virtue  and  be  poor. 
Than  vice  with  riches  !  "     These  words  pleased  me 
now, 


298  PURGATORY. 

And  I  drew  further  forward  to  make  sure 

What  spirit  he  was ;  for  still  he  spake  in  praise 

Of  that  dower  Nicholas  for  the  damsels  made, 

To  lead  their  youth  in  honor's  holy  ways. 

"  O  soul  so  nobly  speaking  there,"  I  said ; 

"  Tell  me  who  wast  thou  ?  and  I  fain  would  learn 

Why  thou  alone  dost  these  just  lauds  renew : 

Thy  words  shall  be  well  paid,  if  I  return 

To  round  the  brief  road  left  me  to  pursue 

Of  mortal  being  hastening  to  its  bourne." 

He  answered :  "  I  will  tell,  not  hoping  aught 

Of  comfort  there  from  any  mortal  breath, 

But  for  the  miracle  of  grace  thus  wrought 

In  thy  strange  visit  here  before  thy  death. 

Of  that  pernicious  tree  I  was  the  root 

Whose  deadly  shade  so  blights  each  Christian  land 

That  seldom  aught  is  cropped  save  evil  fruit. 

But  might  Douay,  Ghent,  Lille  or  Bruges  make 

stand. 
Swift  vengeance  would  ensue.     Soon  may  it  be ! 
All-judging  One !  I  ask  it  at  thy  hand. 
Hugh  Capet  I  was  called  on  earth ;  from  me 
Each  Louis,  and  those  Philips,  every  one. 
Whom  France  is  ruled  by,  in  this  later  day, 
Had  birth !  and  I,  a  Paris  butcher's  son. 

The  ancient  race  of  kings  had  passed  away, 
All  but  a  nameless  one  in  gray  attire. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTIETH.  299 

When  in  my  gripe  I  felt  the  reins  of  sway 

For  that  old  kingdom,  and  did  soon  acquire 

Such  strength  thereby,  such  plenitude  of  friends, 

That  to  the  crown  without  a  lord  my  son's 

Head  was  promoted ;  and  from  him  descends 

This  present  line  of  consecrated  bones. 

Ere  the  great  dower  of  Provence  banished  shame 

Out  of  our  blood,  if  weak,  our  sins  were  few. 

Thenceforth  with  fraud  and  many  a  falsehood  came 

Our  course  of  rapine :  then  we  seized  Ponthieu, 

Normandy,  Gascony,  to  make  amends; 

Charles  came  in  Italy  and  there  he  slew 

His  victim  Conradin,  to  make  amends ; 

Then  sent  home  Thomas  on  his  heavenward  way, 

Him  of  Aquinum,  all  to  make  amends. 

A  time  I  see,  not  far  off  from  to-day, 

That  brings  another  Charles  from  that  same  France, 

The  better  to  make  known  himself  and  friends. 

Unarmed  he  sallies  forth,  except  the  lance 

That  Judas  jousted  with,  and  that  he  sends 

Home    through  the  bowels  of   Florence   till    she 

burst ! 
Lack  land  he  may,  but  shall  not  lack  disgrace, 
Nor  crime  ;  for  which  he  shall  be  more  accursed 
The  less  he  counts  his  damning  ravage  base. 
1  see,  just  sailed,  made  prisoner  on  the  waves. 
That  other  Charles  his  daughter  trade  for  gold, 
Even  as  the  Corsairs  do  with  other  slaves. 


300  PURGATORY. 

What  worse  in  store,  O  avarice !  canst  thou  hold 

For  us,  that  hast  my  blood  perverted  so 

It  recks  not  of  its  own  flesh  bought  and  sold  ? 

That  less  may  seem  all  past,  all  future  woe, 

Entering  Anagni's  gates  the  flower-de-luce 

My  vision  shows,  and  Christ  Himself  brought  low 

By  his  own  Vicar's  capture  and  abuse. 

I  see  Christ  mocked  again !  yea,  my  soul  grieves 

To  see  renewed  the  vinegar  and  gall 

And  Himself  slain  between  two  living  thieves. 

I  see  that  pitiless  man  whom  now  I  call 

The  modern  Pilate  ;  for  all  this  but  leaves 

His  lust  unsated,  and  his  power  prevails 

Against  the  temple ;  no  decretal  gives 

Charter :  the  pirate  goes  with  greedy  sails. 

Oh,  when  shall  I  be  gladdened,  my  Lord  God ! 

To  see  the  vengeance  that  awhile  doth  hide. 

In  secret  cahn,  that  stays  Thine  anger's  rod  ? 

About  the  Holy  Spirit's  only  bride 

That  which  I  said,  and  all  that  made  thee  draw 

Towards  me  for  comment  which  I  spake  beside. 

Even  such  response,  by  daylight,  is  the  law 

That  rules  our  prayers ;  but  soon  as  night  comes 

on 
Our  counter-burden  in  its  turn  begins. 
We  tell  the  tale  then  of  Pygmalion  : 
His  avarice,  that  brought  on  so  many  sins, 


CANTO    THE    TWENTIETH.  301 

Miser,  thief,  traitor,  parricide,  in  one  ; 

The  misery  of  that  miser  Midas  then 

Following  his  gluttonous  desire  of  gold 

That  made  him  evermore  the  jest  of  men  ; 

Of  Acham  next  the  fond  record  is  told 

Who  stole  the  spoils,  and  Joshua's  wrath  did  rouse 

That  still  we  seem  his  vengeance  to  behold ; 

Then  we  condemn  Sapphira  with  her  spouse, 

And  praise  the  hoof -prints  Heliodorus  felt ; 

Now   the   whole   mountain   round   resounds    once 

more 
The  shame  of  Polymnestor,  he  who  spilt 
For  greed  of  gold  the  blood  of  Polydore ; 
Lastly  our  song  is  Crassus  and  his  guilt : 
'  Tell,  thou   who   know'st !    what   sapor   has   that 

ore  ? ' 
Just  as  our  passion  prompts  us  is  our  tone. 
Now  slow,  now  rapid ;  sometimes  with  much  force, 
Then  low  we  speak ;  our  penance  thus  is  shown. 
But  at   those  lauds   which  formed  our  day's  dis- 
course, 
Though  none  spake  near  me,  I  was  not  alone." 

We  had  from  him  departed  now,  and  strained 
Hard  to  o'ercome  our  difficult  road,  as  well 
As  was  permitted  to  what  strength  remained  ; 
When  suddenly,  as  't  were  some  great  thing  fell, 
I  felt  the  mountain  tremble :  such  cold  chained 


302  PURGATORY. 

My  limbs  as  taketh  one  going  forth  to  die. 

Sure  Delos  was  not  with  such  violence  riven, 

Before  Latona  found  wherein  to  lie, 

A  nest  for  nursing  those  twin  eyes  of  heaven. 

Then  upon  every  side  was  raised  a  cry 

So  loud  that  close  to  me  the  Master  came 

And  said  :  "  While  I  am  guiding  do  not  fear." 

*'  Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo  !  "  this  acclaim 

The   whole   were   shouting,    as   from    those    most 

near 
I  judged  the  chorus  of  the  rest  the  same. 

Like   those   old   shepherds   who  first  heard  that 

lay 
We  stood  immovable  and  in  suspense, 
Till  the  cry  ceased,  the  trembling  died  away. 
Then  did  our  holy  journey  recommence. 
Viewing  the  shades  to  their  accustomed  wail 
Turning,  and  grovelling  in  their  penitence. 
Never  did  ignorance  my  mind  assail 
With  such  a  battle  of  desire  to  learn, 
(Unless  herein  my  recollection  fail) 
As  seemed  to  make  the  soul  within  me  yearn. 
I  dared  not  slack  our  speed  by  asking  aught, 
Nor  of  myself  the  cause  could  I  discern  : 
So  timidly  I  went,  and  full  of  thought. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FIRST.  303 

CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FIRST. 

The  natural  thirst  that  never  is  allayed 

Save  by  that  water,  grace  whereof  to  taste 

The  lowly  woman  of  Samaria  prayed, 

Troubled  me  now ;  and  vexed  me  to  the  haste 

Wherewith  o'er  that  packed  sheK  my  way  I  made 

Behind  my  Leader,  pitying  that  just  doom : 

And  lo  !  as  Luke  describes  how  Christ  once  showed 

When  freshly  risen  from  the  sepulchral  gloom, 

Unto  those  two  disciples  on  the  road, 

So,  coming  after  us  appeared  a  shade. 

Eying  the  crowd  amid  whose  forms  he  trod ; 

Nor  took  we  note  of  him  until  he  said : 

"  My  brothers,  be  with  you  the  peace  of  God !  '' 

Virgil  and  I  turned  suddenly,  and  he 
Returned  the  greeting  with  response  benign, 
Then  added  this  :  "  May  peace  thy  portion  be 
In  the  blest  council  of  Truth's  court  divine, 
Whose  doom  to  endless  exile  bindeth  me !  " 
He  answered,  matching  Virgil's  pace  and  mine : 
"  If  ye  are  souls  whom  God  disdains  on  high, 
Who  led  you  thus  far  up  His  heavenly  stairs  ?  " 
"  If  thou  regard,"  my  Teacher  made  rej^ly, 
"  What  sword-marks  from    that   angel's  hand   he 
bears, 


304  PURGATORY. 

Well  mayst  thou  note  lie  with  good  souls  must  reign. 
But  since  that  maid  who  spinneth  day  and  night 
Had  not  yet  drawn  for  him  the  distaff's  pile 
Which  Clotho  portions  for  each  living  wight, 
His  spirit  (thy  sister  and  mine  own),  the  while 
He  came  above,  could  not  ascend  alone, 
By  reason  that  it  sees  not  in  our  style. 
Hence  from  the  ample  gullet  I  was  drawn 
Of  Hell  to  show  unto  this  living  man 
The  things  of  this  place,  and  shall  guide  him  on 
To  show  him  more  things,  far  as  my  school  can. 
But  if  thou  know'st,  give  us  the  reason  why 
The  mountain  trembled  so  just  now,  and  all 
Even  to  its  watery  base  raised  such  a  cry  ?  " 
Mine  own  desire  his  question  did  recall, 
Threading  it  so  that  hope  of  the  reply 
Stayed  my  thirst  somewhat.     He  thus  broke  the 
pause. 

"  'T  was  naught  irregular  :  this  holy  hill 

Moved  not  from  the  religion  of  its  laws 

In  way  unusual ;  it  remaineth  still 

Free,  subject  ne'er  to  any  altering  cause; 

No  reason  else,  then,  why  it  trembled  so 

Save  that  Heaven's  will  some  soul  to  Heaven  doth 

call: 
Since  never  tempest,  rain,  nor  hail,  nor  snow. 
Dew  nor  hoar-frost,  upon  this  mount  doth  fall. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FIRST.  305 

Above  that  short  flight  of  three  steps  below. 

No  clouds  come  there,  nor  any  wandering  mist ; 

No  meteor's  gleam,  nor  lightning ;  nor  the  bow, 

Daughter  of  Thaumas,  oft  from  east  to  west 

Changing  position.     Vapors  dry  with  heat 

Pass  not  those  steps  whereof  before  I  spake, 

And  on  which  Peter's  Vicar  plants  his  feet. 

Lower  down,  it  haply  more  or  less  may  shake ; 

But  from  wind  pent  (how,  I  could  not  declare) 

Within  the  earth,  this  part  did  never  quake. 

With  us  this  mountain  trembleth  whensoe'er 

Any  soul  riseth,  feeling  purified. 

Or  moves  towards  Heaven,  to  enter  heavenly-fair ! 

The  sole  .sign  of  a  spirit's  purity 

Is  when  a  will,  all  free  to  change  abode. 

Seizes  the  soul,  assisting  it  to  fly. 

Justice  Divine  its  first  desire  for  good 

Kestraineth  by  the  same  propensity 

For  penance  here,  that  erst  for  sin  it  showed. 

And  I,  who  in  this  misery  have  lain 

Five  hundred  years  and  more,  felt  only  now 

Free  will  that  better  threshold  to  obtain. 

Hence  was  this  earthquake ;    for  this  reason  thou 

Heardst  thro'  the  mount  the  spirits  in  this   glad 

strain 
Glorify  God  :    soon  may  He  them  invite  !  " 
These  things  he  told  us ;  and  as  thirst's  excess 
Gives  to  the  sense  of  drinking  more  delight, 


306  PURGATORY. 

What  good  he  gave  me  ne'er  could  I  express. 

"  Then,"  said  the  sapient  Guide,  "  I  fathom  quite 

The  nature  of  the  net  which  holds  you  here ; 

How  you  escape  it,  whence  this  trembling  rose, 

And  you  exult  so,  plainly  doth  appear. 

Now  may  it  please  thee  unto  me  disclose 

Who  thou  wast  once  ?     And  tell  the  reason  why 

So  many  a  century  thou  hast  lain  with  those." 

"  When  the  good  Titus,  helped  by  the  Most  High, 
Avenged  those  wounds  from  which  the  life-drops 

came 
Which  Judas  sold,"  the  spirit  thus  made  reply, 
"  Famous  I  was,  by  that  most  honored  name 
And  most  enduring ;  yet  no  faith  had  I. 
So  sweet  my  vocal  genius  was,  that  Rome 
To  herseK  called  me,  meriting  to  wear 
My  temples  mjrrtled,  from  Toulouse,  my  home : 
Statins  the  people  call  me  still  down  there. 
Of  Thebes,  then  great  Achilles,  did  I  sing ; 
But  on  my  way  fell  with  my  second  load. 
The  sparks  that  kindled  me,  and  were  the  spring 
Of  all  the  heat  wherewith  my  genius  glowed. 
From  the  divine  flame  rose,  whence  many  more, 
More  than  a  thousand,  have  received  their  light. 
I  speak  of  that  ^Eneid  which  of  yore 
A  mother  was,  and  nursed  my  gift  to  write : 
I,  without  that,  had  scarce  a  drachma  weighed ; 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FIRST.  £07 

And  to  have  lived  on  earth  when  Maro  lived 
Here,  under  ban,  I  willingly  had  stayed 
Beyond  my  term,  one  sun  more,  unreceived  !  " 

These  words  made  Virgil  turn  towards  me  his  head, 
With  silent  look,  that  seemed  to  whisper,  "  Hush  !  " 
But  power  to  do,  and  will,  are  not  one  thing ; 
For  tears  and  laughter  oft  so  fleetly  rush 
After  emotions  from  whose  force  they  spring. 
In  men  most  true  they  least  obey  the  will : 
I  slightly  smiled  as  one  who  winketh  might. 
Wherefore  the  shadow  ceased  from   speech;    but 

still 
Gazed  in  mine  eyes,  where  most  one  reads  men 

right, 
Then  spake :   "  Say,  wherefore  on  thy  face  erewhile 
(So  may  thy  great  work  to  good  end  be  brought  I) 
Did  I  perceive  the  lightning  of  a  smile  ?  " 

Equally  thus  on  both  sides  I  am  caught : 

"  Silence  !  "  my  Guide  bade,  "  Speak  !  "  implores 

the  shade ; 
Therefore  I  sigh ;  which  Virgil  understands. 
"  Answer,  then,  freely ;  be  thou  not  afraid 
To  speak,"  he  said,  "  but  all  that  he  demands 
With  so  much  earnestness,  at  once  avow." 
Then  I :    "  Perchance  thy  wonder  it  did  wake 
To  note  my  smiling :  ancient  spirit !    now 


308  PURGATORY. 

Thine  admiration  I  would  greater  make. 
He  who  thus  guides  mine  eyes  on  high,  know  thou, 
Is  ViroiFs  self !   the  source  whence  thou  didst  take 
Thy  strength  of  old  for  singing  those  famed  lays 
Of  men  and  gods.     If  other  cause  thou  dream 
The  smile  had,  drop  that  error  !    't  was  the  praise 
Implied  in  those  words  thou  didst  speak  of  him." 

Already  kneeling,  he  had  fain  embraced 

My  Teacher's  feet,  but  he  said :    "  Brother,  no  ! 

Thou  art  a  shadow,  and  a  shadow  see'st." 

Then  the  shade,  rising :  "  Now  behold  what  glow 

Of  love  towards  thee  my  nature  still  doth  warm, 

When  I  forget  our  emptiness,  to  throw 

Mine  arms  round  thee,  as  round  a  living  form ! " 


CANTO  THE  TWENTY-SECOND. 

Behind  us  now  the  angel  had  been  left 

That  up  to  the  sixth  round  the  passage  shows. 

Of  one  more  scar  my  forehead  having  reft ; 

And  "  Blessed  are  they  "  had  pronounced  of  those 

Who  fix  on  justice  their  desire^  and  they 

With  answering  voices  had  subjoined  "  WTio  thirst^^ 

And  nothing  further,  ending  so  their  lay. 

Then  I,  more  light  of  limb  than  ever  erst 

At  any  pass,  went  easily  above, 


CANTO   THE    TWENTY-SECOND.        309 

Following  those  rapid  spirits  with  pace  the  same  ; 
When  Virgil  thus  began  discourse  :    "  The  love 
Which  goodness  kindleth  wakes  an  answering  flame, 
Provided  that  its  own  flame  showeth  well. 
Hence  from  that  hour  when  Juvenal,  come  down 
Into  the  realm  of  Limbo  where  we  dwell. 
Did  unto  me  thy  strong  affection  own, 
My  love  for  thee  no  kindness  could  excel 
That  e'er  was  felt  for  one  to  sight  unknown ; 
Brief,  then,  this  climb  is,  in  thy  company  ! 
But  tell  (forgiving  me  in  friendly  part 
If  confidence  doth  loose  the  rein  too  free), 
And  speak  unto  me  like  the  friend  thou  art : 
How  in  thy  breast  could  avarice  find  a  place 
'Mid  all  the  varied  wisdom  that  was  thine 
Of  so  much  diligence  the  crowning  grace  ?  " 
Those  words  did  Statins  at  the  first  incline 
To  smile  a  little,  but  he  soon  replied : 

"  Thine  every  word  I  take  as  love's  dear  sign. 
In  truth  appearances  oft  do  afford 
False  matter  for  conjecture,  turned  aside 
From  the  true  causes  hidden  or  ignored. 
Thy  question  certifies  to  me  that  thou. 
Misjudging  from  that  round  where  late  I  lay, 
Think'st  that  on  earth  my  sin  was  avarice.     Now 
Be  thou  corrected:  know  I  went  astray 
Far  from  that  vice ;  its  opposite  excess 


310  PURGATORY. 

Yea,  for  a  thousand  moons,  have  purged  away. 

And  had  I  not  my  wasteful  heart  m  hold. 

When  I  heard  thee  exclaim  in  accents  dire, 

At  human  nature  :    '  Cursed  love  of  gold ! 

To  what  of  evil  dost  thou  not  inspire 

The  lust  of  mortals  ? '     I  from  side  to  side 

Rolling  those  weights,  had  felt  the  terrible  tilt ! 

Then  I  perceived  that  hands  could  spread  too  wide 

Their  spendthrift  wings  ;  and  for  the  selfsame  guilt 

Have  penance  paid,  and  other  sins  beside. 

How  many  with  clipped  locks  again  shall  rise 

Because  of  ignorance,  which  for  wanton  waste, 

Living  or  dying,  penitence  denies ! 

Learn  this :   sin  which  is  by  one  other  faced. 

Its  opposite,  with  that  contrasted  sin 

Dries  its  green  here,  in  withering  penance  placed. 

With  those  that  avarice  mourn  if  I  have  been 

Put  in  purgation,  me  thereto  did  bring 

The  coimter-vice  that  I  offended  in !  " 

"  Now  when  of  that  fell  contest  thou  didst  sing. 
Which  those  twin-troubles  of  Jocasta  tried. 
From  what   thou  say'st,  where   Clio  touched  thy 

string," 
The  singer  of  bucolic  songs  replied, 
"  Thee  to  believe  not  yet,  it  seems,  had  won 
The  faith  without  which  no  good  deeds  avaiL 
If  this  be  so,  what  candles  or  what  sun 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SECOND.        311 

Dispelled  thy  night,  and  made  thee  trim  thy  sail 
That  in  the  fisher's  wake  thy  bark  might  run  ?  " 
And  Statins  answered :    "  Thou  didst  lead  me  first 
Up  to  Parnassus,  then  my  way  didst  light 
To  God,  whilst  in  its  grots  I  slaked  my  thirst. 
Thou  wast  like  one,  that  walking  in  the  night, 
HimseK  in  darkness,  beareth  in  his  hand 
A  lamp  to  make  the  way  behind  him  bright. 
When  thou  didst  utter :    '  Now  begins  the  grand 
New  order  of  the  ages ;  reappears 
Justice  on  earth,  and  unto  men  is  given 
The  peace  returned  of  man's  primeval  years ; 
Now  a  new  progeny  descends  from  heaven.' 
I  came  through  thee  to  poesy  and  to  Christ ! 
But  let  some  coloring  my  sketch  enliven. 
Lest  to  thine  eye  it  may  not  have  sufficed. 
Already  pregnant  was  the  whole  world  then 
With  seeds  of  the  true  faith  so  largely  sown 
By  Heaven's  eternal  messengers  to  men  ; 
And  thy  rapt  word,  which  I  have  touched  upon. 
From  these  new  preachers  seemed  to  sound  anew. 
Hence  I  to  visit  them  an  usage  formed  ; 
And  on  my  sense  their  sanctity  so  grew. 
That  when  Domitian's  persecution  stormed, 
Their  griefs  with  pity  did  mine  eyes  bedew ; 
And  oft  I  succored  them  while  yon  I  dwelt. 
And  their  chaste  customs  did  mine  own  so  chide 
That  deep  disdain  for  other  sects  I  felt ; 


312  PURGATORY. 

And  ere  in  song  I  led  the  Greeks  beside 
Those  Theban  streams,  I  had  in  baptism  knelt ; 
But  long  my  Christian  creed  through  fear  did  hide, 
And  paganism  in  outward  action  showed. 
My  lukewarmness  hath  kept  me  pacing  more 
Than  my  fourth  century,  the  circling  road 
Of  the  fourth  terrace.     Thee,  then,  I  implore, 
(T\Tiile  in  ascending  there  is  time  to  spare). 
Thou  who  didst  lift  the  veil  mine  eyes  before 
That  kept  such  blessings  from  me,  tell  me  where 
Cecilius  dwells  ?     Terence,  our  ancient  friend  ? 
Plautus  and  Varro,  be  they  dammed  down  there  ? 
Tell,  if  thou  know'st,  and  where  their  doom  they 
spend." 

"These  with  myself  and  Persius,"  Yirgil  said, 
"  And  many  more,  are  with  that  Greek  confined 
Whom,  above  all,  the  fostering  Muses  fed, 
In  the  first  circle  of  Hell's  dungeon  blind. 
Oft  in  discourse  we  mention  yet  the  steep 
Where  our  great  nurses  evermore  abide. 
With  us  Euripides,  Anacreon  keep, 
Simonides,  Agatho,  many  a  Greek  beside, 
AYhose  brows  wore  laurels  they  did  justly  reap. 
There  many  of  thy  people  may  be  seen, 
Argia,  Deiphile,  Antigone, 
Mournful  Ismene  with  her  wonted  mien  ; 
The  maid  who  showed  Langia's  fount,  and  she 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SECOND.        313 

Who  called  Tiresias  father ;  Thetis  there ; 
There  with  her  sisters  Deidamia  bides." 


Both  poets  now  were  silent,  coming  out, 
Free  from  the  passage  and  its  flinty  sides, 
Once  more  attent  in  looking  round  about ; 
And  now  were  the  four  handmaids  of  the  day- 
Well  left  behind ;  the  fifth  one  at  the  beam 
Lifted  its  bright  horn  on  the  upward  way, 
When  my  Guide  said :    "  Against  this  edge  extreme 
We  should,  I  think,  now  the  right  shoulder  turn. 
Rounding  the  mountain  as  we  wont  to  do." 
Thus  only  from  our  usage  did  we  learn. 
And  we  went  forward  the  less  doubting,  too, 
For  the  assenting  of  that  soul  sincere. 
They  in  advance  went  on,  and  I  alone 
Behind  them,  to  their  parley  giving  ear. 
Whence  have  I  drawn  what  force  my  song  hath 
shown. 

Soon  with  that  pleasant  speech  did  interfere 
A  tree  that  in  the  middle  path  did  rise 
With  apples  grateful  both  to  smell  and  sight. 
And  as  a  fir  diminisheth  in  size 
Bough  after  bough  even  as  it  grows  in  height, 
So  this  tree  tapered  down  in  adverse  wise ; 
Lest  any  one  should  hope  to  climb,  I  think. 
And  at  that  side  whereon  our  way  was  closed, 


314  PURGATORY. 

A  limpid  stream  fell  from  the  rocky  brink, 

And  o'er  tlie  leaves  above  its  dews  diffused. 

Nigh  to  the  tree  as  the  two  poets  came, 

From  out  the  leaves  the  voice  came  that  of  yore 

Sounded :    "  Of  this  fruit  ye  shall  never  eat  1 " 

Then  added :    "  Mary  had  in  thought  far  more 

To  make  the  marriage  honored  and  complete 

Than  her  own  lips,  which  now  for  you  implore: 

And  women  of  old  Home  could  satisfy 

Their  thirst  with  water  ;  Daniel,  too,  controlled 

Desire  of  meat,  and  wisdom  gained  thereby. 

That  early  age  was  heautiful  as  gold  ! 

Hunger  gave  acorns  flavor  then,  and  thirst 

Made  nectar  every  rivulet  that  rolled. 

Honey  and  locusts  were  the  food  which  nursed 

The  Baptist  in  the  desert  where  he  dwelt ; 

Hence  is  he  glorious  next  unto  the  First, 

As  in  the  Evangel  plainly  may  he  speW 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FOURTH.        315 

CANTO   THE  TWENTY-FOURTH. 

Our   going   slacked   not   our   talk,  our  talk    our 

going : 
Still  we  discoursed,  and  still  we  strongly  sped 
Even  as  a  good  ship  with  a  good  wind  blowing. 
Now  those  poor  ghosts,  who  looked  like  things  twice 

dead, 
Through   their   sad   eye-pits   drew   in   wonder   of 

me. 
Known  for  a  living  creature.     But  I  said, 
Pursuing  my  own  speech :  "  Well  may  it  be 
The  spirit  more  slow  ascends  on  our  account. 
Yet  would  I  ask  thee  (if  thou  knowest,  oh,  tell !) 
Where  might  Piccarda  walk  along  the  mount  ? 
And  of  these  many  whose  eyes  upon  me  dwell 
Whether  there  be  some  soul  note  worthiest  ?  " 
"  My  sister,  she  so  equal  good  and  fair 
That  I  wot  not  wliich  praise  becomes  her  best, 
Goes  crowned  and  joyous  in  Olympian  air !  " 
To  this  he  added :  "  Lawfully  we  may 
Name  each  by  name  ;  here  our  spare  diet  so 
Hath  worn  our  old  resemblances  away." 
His  finger  showed  me  :  "  Buonagiunta,  lo  ! 
Buonagiunta  of  Lucca  ;  and  that  face 
Beyond  him  there,  more  sharpened  than  his  own. 
The  holy  Church  once  held  in  his  embrace. 


316  PURGATORY. 

He  was  of  Tours,  and  fasting  doth  atone 
Here  for  Bolsena's  eels,  Vernaccia's  wine." 

Others  he  pointed  out,  and  man  by  man 

As  he  was  called,  seemed  most  content ;  no  sign 

Of  wrath  I  saw  on  any.     Hunger-wan, 

There  Ubaldino  champed  on  nothingness ; 

And  Boniface,  that  o'er  so  broad  a  fold 

His  crozier  raised  ;  that  thirstier  lord  no  less 

Of  Forli's  marquisate,  who  had  of  old 

Leisure  to  drink,  nor  then  could  get  his  fill. 

As  one  that  scans  a  crowd,  hopes  to  behold 

One  only,  I  forth  singled  him  who  still 

Intent  on  me  was  gazing,  him  of  Lucca. 

Somewhat  he  murmured  thickly  in  his  throat 

(Justice    that    strips    them    hurts     there),    like 

"  Gentucca^ 
"  O  spirit !  "    I  uttered  :  "  who  dost  so  denote 
Desire  to  speak  with  me,  make  me  to  hear. 
And  satisfy  us  both."     More  clear  he  spake  : 
"  There  is  a  woman  born,  nor  yet  doth  wear 
The  wimple,  that  to  thee  shall  pleasant  make 
My  city,  let  men  blame  it  as  they  can  ! 
Go  forward,  with  this  hint  not  unrequited  : 
If  from  my  murmuring  first  thy  doubt  began, 
By  truth  hereafter  that  too  shall  be  righted. 
Reveal :  art  thou  not  maker  of  that  new  lay 
'  Ladies  whose  intellect  compriseth  love  '  f  " 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-FOURTH.        317 

And  I  gave  answer :  "  Of  me  rather  say 

I  am  Love's  own,  and  as  he  breathes,  I  move  ; 

And  ever  as  he  prompts  me  must  I  write." 

"Brother,"  he  said,  "the  obstacle  is  plain 
Which  forced  the  Notary,  and  Guittone,  and  me 
Short  of  that  new  perfection  to  remain. 
And  how  your  pen  flies  following  close,  I  see, 
After  the  god  who  dictates  all  you  sing ; 
Which  of  our  own  work  may  not  spoken  be. 
And  he  that  hopes  to  find  a  better  thing 
Cannot  discriminate  'twixt  style  and  style." 
And  here  he  held  his  peace,  content  indeed. 

Even  as  the  wintering  birds  along  the  Nile 
Wheeling  in  squadrons,  that  for  greater  speed 
Do  separate  themselves  and  go  in  file. 
Thus,  with  turned  faces,  all  the  souls  digressed, 
Aye  faster  for  their  leanness  and  desire. 
As  a  tired  courier,  dropped  behind  the  rest. 
Lets  them  pass  by,  and  walks  till  he  respire 
More  steadily  from  his  spent  and  heaving  chest, 
So  did  Forese  suffer  his  blessed  crew 
To  flock  on,  while  he  lingered  at  my  side. 
Asking  :  "  When  shall  I  see  thy  face  anew?  " 
"  My  term  of  life  I  know  not,"  I  replied : 
"  But  howso  quick  my  body  back  may  come. 
Heart's  longing  is  here  sooner.     That  ill  place 


318  PURGATORY. 

Where  I  am  put  to  dwell,  in  daily  sum 
Loses  her  worth,  and  doth  to  ruin  race." 

"  Ah,  go !  "  he  cried.     "  I  seem  to  see  destroyed 
Your  source  of  misery,  by  a  furious  beast 
Dragged  at  the  heels  to  where  all  prayer  is  void, 
In  the  dark  valley  ;  still  with  speed  increased 
Plunging,  till  a  vile  mangled  hulk  he  lies ! 
These  heavenly  wheels  have  no  long  time  to  roll " 
(And  as  he  spoke  he  lifted  up  his  eyes), 
"Ere   of   my  dark   words   thou   shalt   read   the 

whole. 
I  quit  thee  ;  we  prize  time  so,  't  is  a  fault 
My  pace  abreast  of  thee  to  have  delayed." 
As  one  knight,  eager  for  the  first  assault, 
Forth  gallops  briskly  from  the  cavalcade. 
Straight  with  his  large  stride  on  Forese  whirled  ; 
And  left  me  traveling  with  the  twain  anon. 
Who  were  such  mighty  marshals  in  the  world. 
And  when  before  us  he  so  far  had  gone 
That  my  sight  followed  faintly  (as  my  mind 
After  the  speech  obscure  I  pondered  on), 
Behold,  with  laden  boughs  and  living  rind 
Another  apple-tree  rose  sudden  near ! 
Our  glance  not  being  that  way  till  now  inclined. 
Beneath  it  did  a  multitude  appear. 
Stretching  their  hands  up,  with  a  j)laintive  cry 
Into  the  foliage,  that  escaped  mine  ear. 


CANTO    THE    TWENTY-FOURTH.        319 

Like  children  fain  of  what  they  fondly  try 
To  reach,  but  cannot,  begging  without  meed 
To  one  who,  answering  nothing,  holds  on  high 
The   thing   that    still   provokes   and   cheats  their 

greed. 
All  disenchanted,  did  these  souls  depart. 
And  we  pressed  forward  to  the  awful  tree 
That  spurned  petition  so  from  many  a  heart, 
Whose  branches  bred  this  sound  of  mystery : 
"  Pass  :  draw  no  nearer  me.     That  wood  grows 

yonder 
Which  felt  Eve's  kiss  ;  his  sapling  once  was  /." 
And  with  both  poets  hastening  close  thereunder, 
I  changed    my  way.     "  Remember !  "   rang    hard 

by, 
"  The  cursed  cloud-horn  ones,  with   Theseus  con- 
tending^ 
O^ercrammed ;  the  Jews  that  stopped  hy  Arad^s 

bank, 
Lost  to  their  leader,  Midianward  descending  !  '* 
So  threading  down  that  border,  in  a  rank, 
Heard  we  of  gluttony  and  glutton's  zest. 
And  the  rough  pangs  that  purged  that  old  offend- 


Then  on  the  lonely  road  again  abreast 
The  thousandth  step  or  more  we  numbered, 
Quietly  musing,  when  upon  our  course, 


320  PURGATORY. 

"  Wliy  go  ye   three   so   thoughtful  ?  "    something 

said; 
Whereat  I  shook  as  shakes  a  balky  horse, 
And  raised  my  head  to  know.     Could  never  be 
Blown  glass,  or  molten  metal  in  furnace  blast, 
So  beautiful  and  bright  a  red  as  he ! 
Who  spake :   "  If  ye  would  climb,  here   turn   at 

last; 
Here  lies  the  path  for  him  in  search  of  peace !  " 
His  presence  dazed  me  ;  to  mine  escorts  nigh 
I  faced  back,  so  to  give  mine  eyes  release, 
Like  one  who,  hearing,  can  his  track  descry. 

As  when,  ere  daybreak,  comes  a  gust  of  spring, 
A  herald  with  the  breath  of  ferns  and  flowers. 
So  on  my  forehead  moved  a  wind,  a  wing, 
Scattering  aroma ;  then  these  words  in  showers  ; 
"  Blessed  are  they  whom  sweetly  grace  controls^ 
Whose  reason  no  brute  appetite  overpowers, 
Who  hunger  perfectly,  with  temperate  souls  1 " 

FRAGMENT  OF 
CANTO  THE  TWENTY-FIFTH. 

Lo  Duca  mio  dicea  :  per  questo  loco. 


My  Master  said :  "  Hereby  a  man  must  keep 
Even  the  strictest  bridle  upon  his  eyes, 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SIXTH.  321 

Since  for  so  little  cause  his  feet  may  trip." 

Then  ''  God  most  merciful !  "  I  heard  arise, 

Chanted  from  that  great  burning,  and  became 

Smit  with  desire  to  turn ;  and  I  beheld 

A  file  of  spirits  walking  through  the  flame, 

Whom  oft  I  gazed  at,  though  the  while  compelled 

To  heed  my  steps,  my  sight  dividing  so. 

Soon  as  the  hymn  was  done,  with  loudly  blended 

Voices  they  shouted  :    "  Man  I  do  not  know  I " 

Then  gave,  in  softer  tone,  till  it  was  ended. 

Their  psalm  once  over ;  and  when  they  had  cried 

Thereafter,  "  Dian  to  the  forest  fled. 

And  drove  out  Helice,  the  nymph  that  tried 

Thy  poison,  Venus !  "   back  to  singing  sped. 

Praising,  they  called  those  husbands  by  their  names 

Who  kept  in  chastity  the  ordered  road 

Of  matrimony,  and  those  godly  dames. 

And  this,  I  deem,  is  evermore  their  mode. 

Lasting  as  long  as  that  sharp  fire's  embrace ; 

For  such  their  surgery  is,  and  so  can  deal 

With  necessary  power  to  efface 

That  wound  of  theirs,  the  last  of  all  to  heal. 

FRAGMENT  OF 
CANTO  THE  TWENTY-SIXTH. 

While  thus  we  singly  by  the  margin  went. 
My  Master  often  saying  ;  "  Heed  thou  well 


322  PURGATORY, 

My  warning  only  for  thy  safety  meant,'* 

Sunlight  that  on  my  dexter  shoulder  fell 

Now,  spreading  forth,  had  the  whole  west  arrayed 

In  their  own  whiteness,  blanching  all  the  blue  ; 

And  my  long  shadow  with  its  denseness  made 

The  flare  seem  ruddier  ;  and  that  token  drew 

Many  souls  passing,  an  occasion  giving 

For  some  so  to  begin  and  say  of  me : 

"  Surely  yon  body  seems  no  less  than  living !  " 

These  towards  me  then,  so  nigh  as  it  might  be 

With  due  regard  to  pass  not  from  the  blaze. 

Approached.     "  Thou  traveler  keeping  still  behind 

(Haply  from  reverence  more  than  habit  slow). 

Thy  comrades  twain,  give  me  thine  answer  kind, 

In  thirst  and  bitter  burning  as  I  go. 

Nor  to  me  only  be  that  answer  told : 

These  others  thirst  for  it,  O  more  than  men 

Ethiop  or  Indian,  for  the  water  cold  ! 

How  makest  thou  thy  body,  tell  us,  then, 

A  wall  unto  the  sun,  as  if  not  yet 

Within  the  mesh  of  death  thyseK  were  caught  ?  " 

Thus  one  of  them  to  me ;  and  I  had  set 
My  lips  to  speak,  when  a  new  wonder  wrought 
Took  my  mind  from  them.     Rapidly  there  came 
Another  people  toward  us,  meeting  this 
Whom  anxiously  I  watched  along  the  flame. 
And  ran  in  haste  together  for  a  kiss  : 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SEVENTH.       323 

So  from  two  points,  dividing  in  a  trice, 
In  their  brown  bands  do  little  ants  convene, 
Heads  touching,  to  find  out  by  that  device 
What   luck  's    ahead,  and  where  's    the  way  un- 
seen. 
Suddenly,  genial  recognitions  over. 
Ere  the  first  step  apart  the  shadows  hie. 
Each  striveth  to  outshout  his  fellow-lover : 
"  Sodom,  Gomorrah  I "  the  new-comers  cry. 


CANTO  THE  TWENTY-SEVENTH. 

As  when  the  first  vibration  of  his  beams 
Falls  where  his  Maker  shed  His  blood,  and  o'er 
Ebro  in  Spain  high-soaring  Libra  streams. 
And  Ganges  burns  with  noonday's  heat  once  more, 
So  stood  the  sun,  and  therefore  day  was  going 
When  forth  God's  angel  stood  upon  the  shore. 
Outside  that  sea  of  flame,  his  visage  glowing 
With  joy,  and  "  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart  1  " 
Chanted  in  livelier  tones  than  ours  had  been  ; 
Then  :  "  Go  not  further  till  you  feel  the  smart 
Of  this  flame's  penance  :  hallowed  souls,  pass  in ! 
Give  hearing  to  the  hymn  beyond,"  he  said, 
As  we  passed  near  him.     At  his  words  I  grew 
White  as  a  man  borne  to  his  burial-bed. 


324  PURGATORY. 

On  my  clasped  hands  I  braced  myseK,  my  view 

Fixed  on  the  fire  with  strong  imagining 

Of  human  bodies  I  had  seen  consumed. 

Then  Virgil  said,  while  both  good  guides,  to  bring 

My  courage  back,  turned  towards  me  :  "  Here,  my 

son, 
There  may  be  torment,  but  can  be  no  death : 
Remember  thee  !     Remember'st  thou  what  one 
Upbore  thee  safely,  when  with  bated  breath 
Thou  clungst  to  me  when  we  on  Geryon  rode  ? 
Consider  this :  if  I  could  shield  thee  there, 
What  shoidd  I  now  do,  so  much  nearer  God  ? 
Trust  me  for  certain, -and  thy  fear  forbear. 
In  this  flame's  womb  dwelt  thou  a  thousand  years, 
It  could  not  rob  thee  of  a  single  hair ! 
And  lest  this  truth  incredible  appears. 
Draw  near  it,  if  thou  fancy  I  deceive. 
And  lift  thy  garment's  hem  thereto  in  proof 
Of  what  I  say,  and  make  thyself  believe. 
Now  let  no  longer  fear  keep  thee  aloof ; 
Turn  hither,  and  onward  !  spirit  and  footstep  free." 
I,  conscience-smit,  yet  motionless  and  cold ! 
Noting  how  loath  and  slow  I  seemed  to  be, 
Slightly  disturbed,  he  said :  "  Now,  son,  behold 
This  wall  separates  Beatrice  from  thee !  " 
As  Pyramus  at  her  beloved  name 
Lifted  his  lid,  and  looked  on  Thisbe,  dying. 
What  time  the  mulberry  took  its  hue  of  flame, 


CANTO   THE    TWENTY-SEVENTH.       325 

Thus  to  my  wise  Lord,  softened  and  complying, 
I  turned  at  hearing  of  the  name  that  while 
I  breathe,  must  well  up  ever  in  my  breast. 

"  Now  then,"  he  said,  with  crinkled  brow,  and  smile 

Upon  his  face  :  "  What  shall  we  do,  my  son  ? 

Shall  we  stay  here  ?  "     This  even  as  I  had  been 

A  little  school-boy  with  an  apple  won. 

Then  before  me  he  put  himself  within 

That  fire,  praying  Statins  to  come  last, 

Who  for  long  way  dividing  us  had  been. 

Once  in  the  fire,  I  could  myself  have  cast 

In  boiling  glass  to  cool  myself !  such  yearning 

I  had  for  a  refreshment  in  some  guise. 

So  unabating  was  that  merciless  burning. 

To  comfort  me,  my  Father  sweet  and  wise 

Ever  of  Beatrice  discoursing  went, 

Saying  :  "  Her  eyes  !  methinks  I  see  those  eyes." 

Our  pilot  was  a  voice  to  which  we  lent 

Our  sole  attention,  chanting  there  this  lay, 

When  from  the  fire  we  came  forth  to  the  ascent : 

'•'  Venite,  henecUcti  Pair  is  mei.^^ 

It  sounded  from  a  light  there  that  so  shone 

I  could  not  look,  but  turned  mine  eyes  askance ; 

While  still  the  voice  continued  thus  :   "  The  sun 

Is  going  ;  night  comes.     Pause  not,  but  advance, 

While  still  the  west  decks  not  herself  with  dun." 


326  PURGATORY. 

Straight  up  the  creviced  rock  we  took  our  way, 

Turned  eastward,  leaving  the  low  sun  behind  ; 

Ere  many  of  those  steps  we  could  essay, 

We  saw  that  wholly  had  the  day  declined. 

And  ere  the  horizon  did  on  every  strand 

Through  its  immensity  one  aspect  wear. 

And  night  dispensed  her  dark  with  equal  hand, 

Each  one  selected  for  his  bed  a  stair. 

The  mountain's  nature  wholly  took  from  us 

Our  power  to  climb,  though  not  our  pleasm-e  quite. 

Like  wild  goats,  that  erewhile  go  venturous. 

Saucy  and  swift  skipping  from  height  to  height, 

Before  their  hour  of  pasture ;  but  remain 

Hushed   in   the    shade   when   day   grows   fiercely 

bright, 
Watched  by  the  eye  of  the  inactive  swain. 
Who   serves   his   charge,   though   resting   on   his 

rod ; 
And  as  the  houseless  shepherd  all  night  long 
Guardeth  his  flock  outstretched  upon  the  sod. 
Lest  some  wild  beast  invade  the  trembling  throng ; 
Even  such  we  three  seemed  then :  myself  the  flock, 
They  the  calm  herdsmen  with  their  careful  eyes. 
Bound  in  on  both  sides  by  the  lofty  rock. 
Little  indeed  our  reach  was  of  the  skies. 
But  through  that  little  I  the  stars  beheld, 
Beyond  their  wont  in  splendor  and  in  size. 
So  musing,  fixed  on  them  with  gaze  compelled, 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-SEVENTH.       327 

Sleep  seized  upon  me,  sleep  that  bringeth  oft 
Tidings  of  things  before  the  event  arrive. 

It  was,  I  judge,  the  hour  when  there  aloft 
Our  mountain  from  the  east  first  looked  alive 
'Neath  Venus  with  love's  flame  forever  glowing, 
Lovely  and  young  a  lady  in  my  dream 
I  seemed  to  see  along  a  meadow  going, 
Selecting  flowers  and  singing  as  she  went : 
"  Know  all^  if  any  have  desire  of  knowing^ 
That  I  am  Leah.,  busy  with  intent 
For  mine  own  forehead^  with  my  oion  white  hands, 
To^make  myself  a  garland  as  I go^ 
Roving  about  among  the  blossomed  lands, 
That  at  my  mirror  I  may  please  me  so. 
But  for  my  sister  Rachel,  she  doth  move 
Never  from  hers,  but  sitting  all  the  day, 
Looks  on  her  lovely  eyes,  loith  them  in  love, 
While  rather  I  with  wreaths  myself  array  ! 
Seeing  suits  her,  but  I  prize  doing  nfiore^ 

Now,    through   the   splendors   which  precede  the 

dawn. 
And  look  to  pilgrims  dearer  than  before 
The  nearer  home  they  lodge  at  exile's  close. 
With  routed  darkness  was  my  sleep  withdrawn. 
And  seeing  my  masters  had  arisen,  I  rose. 
"That   pleasant  fruit  which  through  so  many  a 

bongh 


828  PURGATORY. 

The  searcli  of  mortals  goes  in  quest  of  ever, 

This  day  shall  quell  thy  hiingerings."     Virgil  now 

This  promise  made  to  me  ;  and  surely  never 

Was  regal  bounty  better  than  that  word ! 

With  such  desire  still  rising  on  desire, 

At  every  step  my  spirit  was  so  stirred 

Methought  that  wings  were  growing  to  speed  me 

higher. 
When  all  the  steps  had  lightly  been  o'errun 
On  the  last  stair  of  all  his  eyes  on  me 
Virgil  fixed,  saying :  "  Thou  hast  seen,  my  son, 
The  temporal  penance  and  the  fire  eterne. 
Now  in  another  zone  thy  feet  must  be. 
Where,  of  myself,  naught  further  I  discern. 
Thus  far  have  I  with  genius  and  with  art 
Led  thee,  but  now  thy  pleasure  be  thy  guide  ; 
Beyond  these  steep  and  narrow  ways  depart ! 
See  on  thy  brow  the  sun's  resplendent  beams. 
The  herbage  see,  and  flowers  and  shrubs  beside. 
Wherewith  this  mountain  lawn  spontaneous  teems. 
Ere  those  bright  eyes  whose  weeping  made  me  speed 
To  thine  assistance,  come  with  gladness  back. 
Thou  mayst  sit  down,  or  wander  ^vithout  heed. 
By  word  or  sign  of  me  expect  no  more ; 
But  with  free  will  explore  thine  own  free  track. 
So  sound  and  right  that  is,  it  were  a  fault 
If  thou  shouldst  trust  it  not :  wherefore  thee  o'er 
Thyself,  with  crown  and  mitre  I  exalt." 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-EIGHTH.         329 
FRAGMENT   OF 
CANTO   THE   TWENTY-EIGHTH. 

Co'  pie  ristettiy  e  con  gli  occhi  passai. 

With  feet  I  stopped,  but  straightway  crossed  the 

brook 
With  eager  eyes,  much  wondering  to  behold 
The  great  variety  of  fresh  May  sprays  ; 
And  there  appeared  to  me  (as  oft  is  brought 
Something  to  view  so  sudden,  that  amaze 
Permits  no  sight  beside,  nor  any  thought) 
A  lonely  lady,  singing  in  the  brake. 
And  culling  as  she  went  flower  after  flower 
Wherewith  her  path  was  painted  ;  and  I  spake  : 
"  Dear,  lovely  lady,  who  thyself  must  warm 
At  love's  own  rays,  if  I  may  truthful  deem 
Love's  looks  which  mostly  to  the  heart  conform ! 
Let  thy  will  move  thee  to  approach  the  stream 
That  I  may  hear  the  words  which  thou  dost  sing. 
Thou  mak'st  me  think  of  Proserpine,  what  time 
Her  mother  lost  her,  and  she  lost  the  spring." 

As  turns  a  dancer  slightly  in  the  air. 
One  of  her  close  feet  lifting  from  the  ground, 
Hardly  advancing,  on  those  flowerets  fair 
Gold-lined  and  damask,  then  she  turned  her  round, 
Most  like  a  maid,  with  downcast  eyes,  and  gave 


330  PURGATORY. 

My  prayer  contentment ;  for  so  near  she  drew 
That  I  with  full  sweet  sound  of  every  stave 
Caught  its  intent,  and  all  its  meaning  knew. 
Soon  as  she  stood  where  those  fair  waters  lave 
The  sylvan  grasses,  like  a  gift  she  threw^ 
On  me  her  lifted  eyes.     I  greatly  doubt 
If  ever  any  such  a  splendor  shone 
Under  the  lids  of  Venus  when  (without 
His  wonted  aim),  she  suffered  from  her  son. 

She  on  the  right  bank  stood  erect,  and  smiled. 

Mingling  the  manifold  colors  in  her  hand 

Which  that  high  region  yields,  unsown  and  wild. 

Three  paces  only  parted  either  strand  ; 

But  Hellespont  where  Xerxes  crossed  the  strait. 

Still  to  all  human  pride  the  barrier, 

Had  not  more  heartily  Leander's  hate 

When  the  broad  billows  most  tumultuous  were 

'Twixt  Sestos  and  Abydos  obdurate. 

Than  this  had  mine,  for  shutting  me  from  her. 

"  Ye  are  new-comers  here,"  she  thus  began, 

"  And  haply  wonder  at  my  smiling  face 

In  this  high  home  elected  once  for  man 

As  human  nature's  nest  and  dwelling-place. 

But   let  the  psalm  '  Thou^  Lord.,  hast  made  me 

glad ' 
Clear  with  its  light  your  clouded  intellect. 


CANTO   THE   TWENTY-EIGHTH.        331 

And  thou  who  foremost  art,  if  thou  wouklst  add 
To  thy  late  prayer  more  questioning,  expect 
Full  answer ;  I  came  ready  to  reply." 
"  The   rivulet's    flow,    the     murmuring   woodland 

breeze, 
Are  battling  with  my  new  belief,"  said  I, 
"  In  things  I  lately  heard  opposed  to  these." 
She  answered :    "  I  the  reason  will  explain 
Whence  these  proceed,  and  purge  the  doubts  that 

smite 
With  so  much  wonder  thy  beclouded  brain. 
The  Supreme  Good  who  simply  finds  delight 
In  His  own  being,  made  man  also  good. 
And  upon  man  this  goodly  dwelling-place 
In  earnest  of  eternal  peace  bestowed. 
Here,  through  his  fault,  he  lingered  not  apace, 
But  changed  for  tears,  and  trouble,  toil,  and  woe, 
His  innocent  pleasure  and  his  modest  mirth. 
Lest  any  perturbation  from  below 
By  exhalations  from  the  sea  or  earth 
Following  so  far  as  may  be  after  heat, 
Should  cause  contention  'gainst  the  race  of  man, 
This  mount  so  high  toward  heaven  exalts  its  seat, 
Exempt  from  that  gate  where  this  realm  began." 

Since  the  whole  air  doth  constant  circuit  make, 
From  the  First  Mobile,  saving  only  where 
Some  obstacle  its  regular  current  break, 


332  PURGATORY. 

On  this  great  height  all  open  to  pure  air 
Such  movement  strikes :    this  makes  the  wood  re- 
sound, 
So  dense  its  growth,  and  every  stricken  stem 
With  its  own  grace  doth  load  the  breeze  around  — 


CANTO  THE   THIRTIETH. 

Soon  as  those  luminous  images  (the  seven 
Which  rise  or  set  ne'er  knew,  nor  cloud,  save  sin  ; 
The  pure  septentrion  of  the  highest  heaven, 
Which  unto  every  one.  that  place  within. 
His  duty  taught,  even  as  the  one  below 
Helps  every  helmsman  the  right  port  to  win) 
Stood  still,  between  them  and  the  Gryphon  came 
The  spirits  of  truth,  then  turned  them  towards  the 

car. 
As  towards  their  peace  :    and  one,  as  with  supreme 
Commission  chanting,  shouted  thrice  afar 
"  Come.,  spouse^  from  Lebanon!  "  and  soon  the  same 
The  rest  repeated,  joining  in  the  stave. 
Even  as  the  blessed,  at  the  latest  sound 
Of  summons,  each  one  from  his  burial-cave 
Shall,  newly  garmented  in  body,  bound 
With  Hallelujahs  !   thus  on  that  divine 


CANTO   THE   THIRTIETH.  333 

Chariot,  at  hearing  such  a  sage's  words, 
An  hundred  sprang  as  to  a  moving  shrine, 
Angels  of  life  eterne,  ministering  lords ! 
They  all  were  saying :  "  O  benedicte  tu 
Qui  venisf''  ever  scattering  like  the  spring 
Roses  all  round,  adding,  as  more  they  threw : 
^^  In  plenteous  hands^  oh!  store  of  lilies  bring  ^ 

I  have,  ere  now,  at  day's  beginning  seen 
Heaven's  orient  part  all  of  one  roseate  hue, 
And  all  the  rest  a  beautiful  blue  serene ; 
And  the  sun's  face  at  sunrise  from  the  view 
Shaded  by  vapor,  through  whose  misty  screen 
His  tempered  beams  the  eye  long  time  sustained ; 
Thus,  underneath  a  falling  cloud  of  flowers, 
Which  from  those  angels'  hands  each  moment  rained 
Into  the  chariot  and  around  in  showers. 
Wreathed,  over  a  white  veil,  with  olive  crown, 
Appeared  a  woman  in  a  mantle  green. 
And  living  flame  the  color  of  her  gown. 
My  heart  then,  which  so  many  a  year  had  been 
Free  from  that  former  trembling  when  I  saw 
Her  presence  once,  that  violent  surprise 
Which  overwhelmed  me  so  with  love  and  awe, 
Now,  without  further  knowledge  of  mine  eyes. 
Through  some  hid  virtue  that  from  her  went  out. 
Felt  all  the  might  of  that  first  passion  rise ! 
Soon  as  that  sublime  force  my  vision  smote 


334  PURGATORY. 

Which,  ere  my  boyhood's  close,  had  pierced  me  so, 
I  turned,  with  such  look  as  a  child  might  wear 
Who  to  his  mother  runs  in  fear  or  woe, 
Toward  my  left  hand,  to  say  to  Virgil  there, 
And  would  have  said  (the  words  to  my  lips  came)  ; 
"  No  dram  of  blood  that  in  my  heart  is  left 
Trembles  not  now ;  I  feel  that  old-time  flame." 
But  of  his  guidance  Virgil  had  bereft 
Statins,  and  me  too !     Virgil,  my  Control ! 
Virgil  my  Sire,  to  whom,  as  loved  the  most, 
For  my  salvation  I  had  given  my  soul ! 
Nor  all  the  joys  our  ancient  mother  lost 
Could  save  the  cheeks  he  late  had  purged  with  dew 
From  turning  back  to  darkness  and  to  tears. 
"  Dante !  weep  not  that  Virgil  parts  from  you ; 
Weep  thou  not  yet ;  however  deep  appears 
This  wound,  a   sharper   sword   must   pierce   thee 
through." 

From  stem  to  stern,  as  high  an  admiral  stands 
To  view  the  mustered  mariners  of  his  fleet. 
And  give  good  heart,  encouraging  all  hands, 
Hearing  my  name  (which  I  must  needs  repeat), 
I  turned  at  sound  thereof,  and  saw  that  dame 
Stand  on  the  car's  left  side,  who  first  was  seen 
Through  festive  flowers  from  angel  hands  that  came, 
Bending  her  eyes  with  a  majestic  mien, 
On  me,  who  stood  on  this  side  of  the  stream. 


CANTO    THE    THIRTIETH.  335 

Although  the  veil  which  from  her  forehead  fell, 
Girt  by  that  frondage  of  Minerva's  tree, 
Suffered  me  not  to  see  her  features  well, 
Queenly  she  looked,  and  yet  upbraided  me. 
Continuing  thus,  with  sweet  restraint  of  style 
As  't  were  she  kept  her  warmer  words  behind : 
"  Behold  me  well.     The  one  I  was  erewhile 
Good  sooth  I  am :  I  am  thy  Beatrice ! 
So,  hast  thou  deigned  then  to  approach  the  hill  ? 
Didst  thou  not  know  man  findeth  here  his  bliss  ?  " 
Down  dropped  mine  eyes  into  the  lucid  rill ; 
But  seeing  myself  there,  to  the  greensward  near 
I  turned  abashed,  and  hung  my  head  in  shame. 
So  to  the  child  a  mother  seems  austere 
As  she  to  me  did ;  for  the  taste  of  blame 
Is  bitter,  sure,  if  pity  grow  severe. 

She  ceased :  straightway  those  angels,  in  accord, 

"  In  te  speravi,  Domine  !  "  begun 

And  sang  to  ^^ pedes  meos  /  "  no  further  word. 

Like  snow  whose  hard  mass,  thawless  to  the  sun. 

Among  the  living  timbers  on  the  spine 

Of  Italy,  congealed  by  winds  that  blow 

From  the  bleak  waste  beyond  Sclavonia's  line, 

Sinks  down  into  itself  with  ceaseless  flow. 

If  but  a  breath  come  from  the  shadowless  land, 

As  melts  a  candle  its  own  flame  before  ; 

So,  without  sighs  and  tearless,  did  I  stand 


336  PURGATORY. 

Listening. their  chant  whose  notes  for  evermore 
Kepeat  the  rhytlmi  of  Heaven's  eternal  spheres : 
But  when  those  harmonies  gave  me  to  know 
Their  pitying  of  me,  more  than  if  mine  e?rs 
Had  caught  the  words  "  Lady^  lohy  chide  him  so  f 
The  ice,  that  had  been  round  my  heart  comprest, 
To  spirit  and  water  turned,  and  with  full  flow 
Of  tears  and  groans,  came  gushing  from  my  breast. 
Then,  on  the  said  side  of  the  chariot,  she 
Standing  unmoved,  soon  afterwards  addressed 
Thus  the  bright  substances  who  pitied  me  : 
*'  Ye  hold  your  watch  in  Heaven's  eternal  day, 
That  night  or  slumber  should  not  steal  from  you 
One  pace  of  time's  march  on  the  ages'  way. 
Whence  to  mine  answer  greater  care  is  due 
That  he,  there  weeping,  mark  the  words  I  say. 
And  his  grief  measured  be  by  his  defect. 
For  not  alone  by  those  great  circles'  force 
Which  to  some  issue  every  seed  direct. 
According  to  what  stars  are  then  in  course. 
But  through  divine  gifts,  largely  rained  from  founts 
Of  vapor  so  far  hidden  from  our  view 
That  human  vision  nowhere  near  it  mounts, 
Such  was  this  being,  when  his  life  was  new. 
In  virtual  grace,  that  all  right  training  would 
Have  made  in  him  the  wonderf  ullest  proof : 
But  alway  land  grows  more  malign  and  rude, 
Given  to  bad  seed,  all  husbandry  aloof, 


CANTO   THE   THIRTIETH.  337 

The  more  the  soil  be  vigorous  and  good ! 

I  with  my  beauty  held  him  for  a  space, 

And  with  my  young  eyes  kept  his  footsteps  firm 

Mine  own  to  follow  in  the  ways  of  gi-ace. 

Soon  as  the  threshold  of  its  second  term 

My  life  had  reached,  and  I  my  being  changed, 

Earthly  for  heavenly,  this  man  wholly  gave 

Himself  to  other  loves,  from  mine  estranged. 

And  when  from  flesh  ascending  through  the  grave, 

My  spirit  in  grace  and  goodness  was  increased 

I  was  less  dear,  less  lovely  in  his  eyes ! 

Then  he  to  false  ways  turned,  and  wholly  ceased 

Pursuit  of  real  good,  but  followed  lies 

That  never  yet  one  promise  made  entire  ; 

Nor  did  my  prayers  avail,  wherewith  I  sought 

By  dreams  and  otherwise,  in  him  to  inspire 

Wish  to  return :  he  gave  so  little  thought. 

So  low  he  sank  that  every  influence  fell 

Short  of  salvation ;  nothing  could  bestead 

Save  this,  to  show  him  the  lost  race  in  Hell. 

For  this  I  sought  the  gateway  of  the  dead. 

Till  my  prayers  moved,  and  many  a  tear  that  fell, 

One  who  thus  far  his  upward  steps  hath  led. 

God's  high  decree  were  violate,  should  he 

Pass  over  Lethe's  river  and  partake 

Its  precious  beverage,  and  no  reckoning  be 

Of  penitential  drops  for  penance'  sake." 


338  PURGATORY. 

FRAGMENT  OF 
CANTO  THE  THIRTY-FIRST. 

"  O  THOU  who  stand'st  beyond  the  sacred  stream !  " 

Turning  to  me  the  point  of  her  address 

Whose  indirect  cut  so  severe  did  seem, 

''  Say,  say  if  this  be  true  ?     Thou  must  confess 

And  give  such  grave  accusal  added  force." 

In  these  words  Beatrice  without  delay 

Upbraided  me,  renewing  her  discourse, 

Which  so  bewildered  me  my  voice  gave  way, 

And  spent  itseK  in  motion  without  sound 

Before  its  organ  could  my  will  obey. 

Waiting  awhile,  till  I  mine  utterance  found, 

"  Reply  to  me,"  she  said  :  "  give  me  thy  thought. 

Since  of  the  bitter  memories  in  thy  mind 

Not  yet  yon  rivulet  hath  effacement  wrought." 

Fear  and  confusion  in  my  soul  combined 

Forced  such  a  faint  "  Yes,"  from  my  lips  that  sight 

Was  needful  to  make  plain  the  assent  designed. 

As  breaks  a  cross-bow,  that  from  too  much  strain 

Of  string  and  wood  lets  a  weak  arrow  fly 

So  that  it  speeds  not  to  its  mark  amain. 

Thus  under  that  grave  burden  faltered  I ; 

And  my  words  weakly  through  their  passage  flowed, 

Broken  with  gurgling  tears  and  many  a  sigh. 

Still  she  continued :  "  Speak  ;  in  my  desire 
That  counselled  thee  to  love  the  only  good 


CANTO   THE    THIRTY-FIRST.  339 

Beyond  which  nothing  can  exalt  us  higher, 
What  chains  or  bars  to  check  thy  better  mood 
Did'st  thou  encounter,  bringing  such  despair 
To  thy  weak  heart  ?  what  profit,  what  delight 
In  other  objects  showing  front  so  fair 
That  thou  to  them  shouldst  yield  thy  spirit  quite  ?  " 

After  one  bitter  groan,  to  make  reply 

Though  my  lips  labored,  I  had  scarce  the  might. 

"  Life's  present  pleasures,"  through  my  tears  said  I, 

"  With  their  false  seeming  turned  my  steps  aside. 

Soon  as  thy  beauty  was  withdrawn."     And  she : 

"  Hadst  thou  kept  silence,  or  hadst  thou  denied 

What  thou  hast  now  confessed,  thy  fault  would  be 

Known  to  that  Judge  from  whom  is  nothing  shut ! 

But  down  one's  cheek  when  self-accusal  flows 

The  wheel  of  justice  grinds  against  the  cut 

In  our  tribunal.     StiU,  from  tears  that  rose 

For  thy  past  error,  that  thou  mayst  obtain 

The  greater  good,  be  strong  henceforth  to  lend 

An  ear  less  willing  to  the  sirens'  strain. 

Put  by  that  seed  of  sorrow,  and  attend  : 

So  shalt  thou  hear  to  what  an  opposite  course 

My  body's  burial  shoidd  have  prompted  thee ! 

Never  did  art  or  nature  with  such  force 

Present  a  rapture  to  thine  eyes  like  me. 

In  those  fair  limbs  wherein  I  bore  my  breath. 

And  which  are  nothing  now  but  dust  dispersed. 


340  PURGATORY. 

And  if  that  highest  pleasure  through  my  death 

So  failed  thee,  how  to  any  second  tliirst 

Couldst  thou  have  been  seduced  by  mortal  thing? 

Rather  shouldst  thou,  at  the  first  arrow  cast. 

Through  life's  illusions  with  a  loftier  wing. 

Have  soared  towards  me,  who  had  beyond  them 

passed ; 
Nor  shouldst  have  borne  that  any  trivial  girl 
Or  other  vanity  whose  use  lasts  not, 
At  thy  spent  heart  a  further  blow  should  hurl ! 
The  half-fledged  sparrow  takes  a  second  shot. 
Or  a  third  haply  ;  for  full-feathered  birds 
No  second  barb  flies,  no  new  net  is  spread." 

As  little  children  at  reproving  words 

Stand   blushing    dumb,  with   downcast   eyes  and 

head, 
Conscious  of  their  own  error  and  contrite. 
So  was  I  standing  speechless.     Then  she  said  : 
"  If  but  to  hear,  thou  sufferest  such  a  stroke. 
Lift  up  thy  beard,  and  be  more  grieved  at  sight !  " 

With  less  resistance  is  a  tough  young  oak 

Torn  up  by  gale  of  our  own  natal  land, 

Or  from  the  kingdom  of  larbas  blown. 

Than  I  upraised  my  chin  at  her  command ; 

And  when  for  face  she  asked  my  beard,  well-known 

To  me  the  venom  was  of  that  rebuke. 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-THIRD.  341 

And  when  my  lifted  visage  I  had  shown, 
Mine  eye  took  in  the  pausing,  with  one  look, 
Of  those  bright  angels  from  that  rain  of  flowers ; 
And  Beatrice  above  that  being  mounted 
(Though  mine  eyes  trembled  doubtful   of    their 

powers), 
Which  in  two  natures  is  one  person  counted. 
Under  her  veil,  beyond  the  grassy  stream, 
She  seemed  to  me  in  beauty  to  excel 
Her  former  self,  more  than  she  seemed  supreme 
O'er  others  all  when  here  she  used  to  dwell. 
The  nettle  of  repentance  gave  my  breast 
So  sharp  a  sting,  that  whatsoe'er  had  turned 
Me  most  to  loving,  I  did  most  detest : 
So  keen  a  consciousness  my  bosom  burned 
That  I  fell  vanquished.     What  my  state  was  then 
She  knows  by  whose  blow  I  was  overthrown ! 


FRAGMENT  OF 
CANTO   THE   THIRTY-THIRD. 

"  0  God,  the  heathen  are  come  in  I  "  began 
The  heavenly  psalmody ;  by  three,  by  four. 
Made  sweet  response  that  alternating  ran. 
Those  ladies  weeping.     Beatrice  meanwhile  wore 
Such  look  in  listening,  'mid  her  tears  and  sighing, 


342  PURGATORY. 

That  scarce  was  Mary  at  tlie  cross  changed  moiiD* 
But  soon  as  those  seven  damosels  complying 
With  her  desire  of  speaking,  mute  became 
To  give  her  audience,  straight  uprising,  she 
Spake  thus,  the  while  her  coloring  grew  like  flame : 
"  A  little  while  and  me  ye  shall  not  see  ;  " 
And  once  again :  "  Beloved  sisters  mine  ! 
A  little  while  and  then  you  shall  see  me." 
Then  at  the  head  of  all  the  seven  in  line 
She  moved  herself,  and  motioned  us  to  move, 
Myself,  that  maiden,  and  the  sage  who  stayed. 
Nor  do  I  think  that  she  had  pressed  above 
Her  tenth  pace  forward,  when  her  bright  eyes  made 
Mine  quiver,  though  full  tranquilly  she  said : 
"  Step  thou  more  quickly,  and  approach  more  near, 
That  should  I  talk  as  we  together  tread, 
Thou  mayst  be  posted  to  distinctly  hear." 
So  when  beside  her  as  in  duty  bound, 
I  walked,  she  whispered :  "  Brother !  why  hast  thou 
No  subject  yet  for  any  question  found. 
While  we  are  traveling  side  by  side  as  now  ?  " 
As  men  in  speaking  to  superior  men, 
For  too  much  reverence,  oft  no  living  sound 
Can  bring  to  utterance,  thus  it  happened  then. 
All  brokenly  did  I  begin  to  plead : 
"  Madonna !  "  faltering  ;  "  what  I  need,"  I  said, 
"Thou  knowest,  and  knowest  what  will  help  my 
need." 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-THIRD.  343 

And  she  to  me  :  "  From  bashfulness  and  dread 
I  fain  would  have  thee  get  thy  spirit  freed, 
Nor  speak  like  one  in  dreams  and  drowsihead ! 


This  tree  doth  tower  with  top  inverted  hence 

For  cause  ungathered  of  thy  sleepy  brain ; 

And  were  not  thy  vain  fancy's  prevalence 

Thee  round  about  like  Elsa's  waters  lain, 

Doing,  with  all  their  dark  and  pleasant  dyes, 

As  Py ramus  to  the  mulberry,  thou  wert  free    . 

By  tokens  plain  to  morally  surmise 

God's  justice  in  forbidding  of  that  tree ! 

But  since  I  find  thine  intellect  of  stone. 

And  stained  so  that  my  speech  but  makes  thee  blind 

With  its  effulgence,  take  it  for  thine  own. 

If  written  not,  yet  painted  on  thy  mind. 

And  bear  it  with  thee  as  the  pilgrim  bears, 

And  for  like  sign,  his  staff  with  palm  entwined." 

I  answered  :    "  Faithful  as  the  wax  that  wears 
Unchanged,  the  impress  of  a  signet  ring, 
My  mind  receives  the  stamp  of  thy  discourse. 
But  why  beyond  me  on  so  lofty  a  wing 
Soars  thy  loved  word,  that  still  the  more  I  force 
My  soul  to  keep  abreast,  the  more  I  miss  ?  " 
"  That  thou  mightst  know  the  sort  of  school,"  she 
said. 


344  PURGATORY. 

"  Thou  hast  been  following ;  and  perceive  by  this 

How  not  in  footsteps  of  mine  art  it  trod ; 

And  see,  moreover,  how  that  way  of  thine 

Differs  from  God's  way  far  as  from  the  sod 

The  cir clings  of  remotest  heaven  shine." 

Whence  I  to  her :    "  I  cannot  recollect 

That  I  was  ever  from  thy  love  beguiled, 

Nor  is  my  conscience  pricked  with  that  neglect." 

"  If  thou  rememberest  not,"  she  spoke  and  smiled, 

"  Call  to  thy  mind  how  thou  hast  drunk  to-day 

Of  Lethe's  wave :   and  if  from  smoke  the  fire 

Be  a  just  inference,  this  oblivion  may 

Give  clear  conclusion  of  a  weak  desire. 

Fault  of  thy  will,  too  much  intent  elsewhere ! 

Truly  from  this  time  forth  my  words  of  light 

Shall  be  uncovered  far  as  it  is  fair 

To  show  them  unto  thine  unpracticed  sight." 

While  his  most  dazzling  beam  with  slower  pace 

Unto  the  zenith  did  the  sun  exalt, 

(That  point  which  varies  with  the  gazer's  place). 

As  an  outrider  cometh  to  a  halt 

Seeing  some  novel  object  on  his  track. 

The  seven  maids  stopped  in  pale  shade  at  last, 

Such  as  beneath  green  leaves  and  branches  black 

Upon  their  cold  cascades  the  Alps  do  cast. 

And  there  before  them,  so  it  seemed  to  me, 

Euphrates  river  and  the  Tigris  started 


CANTO   THE   THIRTY-THIRD.  345 

Forth  of  one  fountain,  like  two  friends  that  be 
Together  long,  and  loath  to  be  disparted. 

"  O  light,  O  glory  of  the  human  train  I 

What  is  this  water  of  one  origin 

That  doth  far  from  itseK  itself  constrain  ?  " 

And  my  petition  did  this  answer  win : 

"  Pray  thou  Matilda,  that  she  tell  thee  plain !  " 

That  lovely  lady  thereupon  replied, 

As  one  who  fain  himseK  would  free  from  blame  : 

"  This  have  I  told  him,  and  more  things  beside. 

And  sure  I  am  yon  river's  other  name 

His  draught  of  Lethe  hath  no  power  to  hide  !  " 

"  Haply,"  said  Beatrice,  "  a  graver  care 

Which  often  robs  us  of  remembering 

Hath  darkened  his   mind's    eyes.     But  look  you 

where 
Eunoe  floweth  from  his  neighbor  spring  ; 
Lead  him  thereto  :  and  after  thy  kind  use. 
With  a  new  life  his  fainting  manhood  fill." 
Like  to  a  docile  soul  that  scorns  excuse, 
But  straightway  makes  another's  its  own  will 
Soon  as  made  manifest,  that  lady  led 
With  her  light  touch,  my  every  weary  limb 
Full  gently  forward,  and  to  Statins  said. 
After  a  woman's  fashion  :  "  Come  with  him." 


PARADISR 


FRAGMENT   OF  CANTO   THE  FIRST.     349 


FRAGMENT   OF   CANTO  THE   FIRST. 

The  glory  of  Him  who  moveth  all  He  made 
Shines  through  the  universe  with  piercing  splendor 
In  one  part  more,  and  elsewhere  less  displayed. 
Up  in  that  heaven  that  most  receives  His  light 
I  was ;  and  saw  things  that  no  mortal  being 
Coming  down  thence,  could  tell,  or  knows  to  write, 
Because  our  intellect  approaching  so 
Towards  its  desire,  to  such  a  height  is  carried 
That  back  the  memory  hath  not  power  to  go. 
Truly  whatever  treasure  I  could  gain 
For  my  remembrance  of  that  holy  Kingdom, 
Shall  make  material  now  for  this  my  strain. 
To  this  last  labor,  good  Apollo !    grant 
That  of  thy  >vorth  I  may  be  such  a  vessel 
As  thou  requir'st  for  thy  loved  laurel  plant. 
TiU  now,  one  smnmit  was  enough  for  me 
Of  high  Parnassus  ;  now  I  need  the  other 
To  aid  me  in  the  task  that  is  to  be. 
Breathe  in  my  bosom  thy  notes  not  of  earth. 
Such  as  thou  didst  when  from  the  piteous  scabbard 
Of  his  flayed  limbs,  thou  drewest  Marsyas  forth ! 

O  divine  spirit !    so  my  soid  possess 

That  I  the  shadow  of  the  blessed  Kingdom 

Limned  on  my  brain,  may  fittingly  express. 


350  PARADISE. 

And  tlien  behold  me  to  thy  dearest  tree 
Coming  to  crown  myself  with  leaves  thereunder, 
Which  my  high  theme  and  thou  award  to  me. 
So  seldom,  Father !   bard  or  Caesar  now, 
(Oh,  of  our  human  will  reproach  and  weakness !) 
In  triumph  goes  to  pluck  them  for  his  brow. 
That  when  a  mortal  hath  on  him  bestowed 
The  natural  thirst  of  that  Penean  frondage. 
New  joy  must  thrill  the  joyous  Delphian  god ! 
From  a  small  spark  the  giant  flame  is  blown : 
And  others  after  me,  with  better  voices, 
Perchance  shall  win  — 


FRAGMENT  OF   CANTO   THE  THIRD. 

E  quesf  altro  splendor  che  ti  si  mostra. 

"  Behold,  this  other  radiant  woman  here 
Showing  herself  to  thee  at  my  right  side. 
With  the  full  splendor  fired  of  our  bright  sphere, 
Doth  even  with  me  my  own  life's  tale  divide. 
She  also  was  a  nun,  and  from  her  front 
The  veil  august  was  torn ;  when  made  to  dwell 
In  the  rude  world,  against  her  wish  and  wont. 
Ne'er  from  her  heart  the  virginal  vesture  fell ! 
This  of  great  Constance  is  the  glory  vast. 


FRAGMENT  OF  CANTO   THE  ELEVENTH.    351 

AVho  to  Suabia's  second  storm-like  man 

Bore  of  those  emperors  the  third  and  last." 

So  spake  she,  and  then  ceased ;  but  straight  began 

"  Ave  Maria  !  "  singing :    and  she  passed 

Softly  as  in  deep  water  sinks  a  weight. 


FRAGMENT  OF  CANTO  THE  FIFTH. 

Siate^  Cristianiy  a  muovervi  piu  gravi. 

Chkistians  !   be  you  more  steadfast,  more  serene. 
Fly  not  like  feathers  at  each  puff  that  blows, 
Nor  think  that  every  wave  will  wash  you  clean, 
That  any  field  may  serve  you  for  repose. 
There  is  a  shepherd  and  a  fold  for  you ; 
Ye  have  a  leader  when  your  way  is  rough ; 
Ye  have  the  Testament,  both  old  and  new : 
All  these  for  your  salvation  are  enough. 


FRAGMENT   OF   CANTO  THE  ELEVENTH. 

Litra  Tupino,  e  V  acqua  che  discende. 

Between  Tupino's  wave  and  that  which  sends 
Its  flood  from  blest  Ubaldo's  chosen  seat, 


352  PARADISE, 

A  fertile  mount  an  airy  coast  extends, 
Wlierefrom  Perugia  feels  both  cold  and  heat 
Tlirougli  Porta  Sole  ;  and  behind  it  weep 
Gualdo  and  Nbcera  their  grievous  yoke. 
There,  on  that  side  of  it  where  most  the  steep 
In  its  declivity  is  sharply  broke. 
Unto  the  world  another  sun  was  born, 
Like  this  our  daily  planet,  whose  glad  face 
Beams  forth  from  Ganges,  bringing  Europe's  mom. 
Therefore  let  no  man  speaking  of  that  place 
Assisi  say,  too  briefly  by  that  name 
Describing  it ;  but  let  him  say  the  East ! 
If  he  would  properly  enforce  its  claim. 

Not  much  his  light  had  from  its  dawn  increased, 

"When  he  began  throughout  his  land  to  inspire 

Some  comfort  from  a  purity  so  great ; 

Since,  yet  a  youth,  he  fought  with  his  own  sire 

For  sake  of  her  against  whom  pleasure's  gate 

Men  bar,  of  her  face  as  of  death  afraid : 

And  so  before  his  Father,  and  the  court 

Spiritual,  with  her  a  marriage  made, 

And  grew  in  love  the  more  they  did  consort. 

She,  slighted  widow,  reft  of  her  first  spouse. 

More  than  eleven  himdred  years  remained 

Despised,  obscure :  no  lover  paid  his  vows 

To  her  till  this  one  her  affection  gained ; 

It  nought  availed  to  move  men  in  their  choice 


FRAGMENT  OF  CANTO  THE  ELEVENTH  353 

To  read  how  Caesar  found  her  undismayed 
With  poor  Amyclas,  hearing  his  dread  voice ; 
Nor  aught  availed  the  courage  she  displayed, 
And  the  fierce  constancy  which  so  sufficed, 
That  while  below  heart-broken  Mary  prayed. 
Her  lofty  spirit  climbed  the  cross  with  Christ. 
But,  lest  my  sense  I  too  obscurely  screen. 
Take  for  these  lovers  of  my  large  discourse 
Francis  and  Poverty  :  for  them  I  mean. 
Their  concord  and  glad  looks,  the  gentle  force 
Of  love  and  wonder,  their  demeanor  sweet, 
Were  cause  that  holy  thoughts  did  much  increase ; 
Bernard  first  bared  his  venerable  feet 
To  run  behind  him,  after  so  great  peace. 
And  in  his  running  felt  himself  too  slow : 
O  unknown  riches  !    O  thou  good  most  true ! 
After  the  spouse  whose  bride  enchanteth  so, 
Egidius  bares  his  feet,  Silvester  too. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 

1     Rec^^° 

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J          MAR    1 1980 

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THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  UBRARY 


